Flame Skimmer

The flame skimmer or firecracker skimmer is a common dragonfly of the family Libellulidae, native to western North America. The Flame Skimmer is found across the western U.S with its eastern most extent in Missouri and Kansas: AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, MO, MT, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WY. In Montana it is found mostly in the western part of the state except in the east where warm springs habitats are present. Flame Skimmers are native to western U.S. from ID and WY to California, TX and northern Mexico. Adults range in size from 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long. The males are entirely bright orange, including their body, eye, legs and wings.

Scientific name: Libellula saturata

Higher classification: Skimmers

Family: Libellulidae

Kingdom: Animalia

Order: Odonata

Phylum: Arthropoda