Widow Skimmer vs Brown Hawker
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Widow Skimmer | Brown Hawker |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Libellula luctuosa | Aeshna grandis |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Libellulidae | Aeshnidae |
| Size | 60-68 mm wingspan | 70-77 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Widow Skimmer
A distinctive dragonfly with broad dark wing patches at the base and white bands beyond them in mature males. Females and young males lack the white bands.
Did You Know?
The widow skimmer gets its somber common name from the dark mourning-veil-like patches on the wings of females.
Brown Hawker
A large dragonfly entirely brown with amber-tinted wings, unique among European hawkers. Its warm brown coloring makes it unmistakable in flight.
Did You Know?
It is the only large European dragonfly that is entirely brown with bronze-tinted wings.