Picture by : insects.org
Credit : insects.org
Common name : Red Skimmer
Scientific name : Crocothemis chinensis
Order name : Odonata
Family name : Lubellulidae
Discription : This vibrant Red Skimmer Dragonfly from Kauai was found patrolling the banks of a pond and habitually landed on it's favorite vantage point. Unlike other groups of insects, the beautiful colors fade quickly after death. Dragonflies sit with their wings out and perpendicular to their body whereas their damselfly relatives hold their wings up together above their body. Living up to their names, to their insect prey they are true dragons of the air, using their first 2 pair of legs as a basket with which they scoop up their insect prey in mid flight.