Widow Skimmer vs Insignia Goldenring

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Widow Skimmer Insignia Goldenring
Scientific Name Libellula luctuosa Cordulegaster insignis
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Libellulidae Cordulegastridae
Size 60-68 mm wingspan 75-85 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Mountains
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions North America Asia, Europe
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.

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Did You Know?

The widow skimmer gets its somber common name from the dark mourning-veil-like patches on the wings of females.

Insignia Goldenring

A large goldenring dragonfly of Turkey and the Near East with bold yellow markings. It patrols mountain streams in the eastern Mediterranean region.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the most impressive dragonflies of the eastern Mediterranean, yet remains poorly studied.