Widow skimmers (Libellula luctuosa - see below) are common in southern Minnesota. Mature males have a bluish-grey abdomen and thorax, trending to pruinosity (i.e., whitish-blue coating) with increasing maturity. Mature males have semi-transparent wings, and dark and white bands on their wings. Females have a brown abdomen and thorax with a yellow-orange line on the thorax extending to the abdomen bilaterally. They are approximately 4 to 5 cm in length.
The designation of "widow skimmer" refers to the fact that the male leaves the female alone while she lays her eggs, unlike other species where males accompany the females when they lay their eggs.
Widow skimmer - male
Widow skimmer - male
Widow skimmer - female
Widow skimmer - female
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The immature male widow skimmer (below) may have dark bands on its wings, and in later stages of maturity, may have white bands as well. Its immaturity is reflected by the fact that it retains its brown abdomen with the yellow-orange stripes, as in the female widow skimmer.
Widow skimmer - immature male