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copied from [[Widow skimmer]]

Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) is one of the largest group of dragonflies family known as skimmers. It belongs to the order Odonata, Greek word for "toothed."

Anatomy and Morphology
Widow skimmers have large bulky bodies, with a large head. Eyes are also large and close together meeting in the middle of the head. They have three pairs of legs. They have two pairs of wings: forewings and hindwings. Females and males have thick black bands on all wings. Mature males have outer white bands present in all wings. The pterothorax in females is pale yellow obscured with brown and in males a powdery blue. The abdomen measures 24-32 mm in length. They have a waxy coating on wings and abdomen called pruinosity.

Distribution
This species can be found across North America reach: the United States (except in the higher Rocky Mountains areas) south across the Mexican border, southern Canada (Ontario, Manitoba, Novia Scotia, and Quebec).

Habitat
Found in a variety of still bodies of water (and muddy substrates) habitats such as: ponds, lakes, lagoon, streams, and creeks.

Diet
Widow skimmers are predators that prey on other insects such as mosquitoes. They catch their prey using their legs and then they use their teeth to bring prey into their mouth. Help regulate insects and other pest in their habitat. Larvae are aquatic and also predators.

Behavior
The process of reproduction is known as "in tandem." They position themselves to form a wheel or heart shape before sperm is transferred. Male widow skimmer will 'widow' the female widow skimmer as she lays her eggs in the water.