Two large orange/red skimmers that occur in Arizona and can be present at a same location are the Flame(Libellula saturata) and Neon (L. croceipennis) Skimmers.
Males are relatively easy to separate but females are quite similar.
Flame vs Neon Skimmers
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Libellula saturata -
Libellula croceipennis
Comparison (male & female)
Wing venation
The two species differ with respect to the hindwing anal loop venation:
Flame Skimmer: Normally two rows of cells on each side of the midrib vein of the anal loop heel;
Neon Skimmer: Generally, only one row of cells on each side of the midrib vein of the anal loop heel.
Male Comparison
Overview
Flame Skimmer
- Mostly orange.
- Wings have a large amber patch that extends to the pterostigma. The hindwing has a darker orange/brown midbasal stripe.
Neon Skimmer
- Abdomen and front of thorax are bright red.
- Wings have much less orange than in the Flame Skimmer. The hindwing lacks a darker orange/brown midbasal stripe.
- Pterostigma more elongated than in Flame Skimmer.
Male Flame and Neon Skimmers, AZ.
Female Comparison
Overview
Flame Skimmer
- Wings usually with some orange (but can be clear).
- First longitudinal wing veins are partly yellow.
Neon Skimmer
- Wings are mostly clear.
- Wing veins are orange and lack yellow.
- Pterostigma is more elongated than in Flame Skimmer.
- Flap on abdominal segment 8 (S8) is more developed than in Flame Skimmer
Female Flame and Neon Skimmers, AZ