Four-spotted chaser vs Twelve-spotted skimmer
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a four-spotted chaser from a twelve-spotted skimmer, and whether either one bites or stings.
Four-spotted chaser
Libellula quadrimaculata
Twelve-spotted skimmer
Libellula pulchella
≠The key differences
Four-spotted skimmer has only four dark spots (one near the nodus on each wing) and lacks the additional spots and white checkered pattern of the twelve-spotted skimmer.
⚖︎Side by side
| Four-spotted chaser | Twelve-spotted skimmer | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
| Size | About 39-48 mm body length; wingspan about 70-85 mm | Body length about 50-57 mm; wingspan about 80-95 mm |
| Colours | Brown, Black, Pale yellow, Blue-grey (pruinescence) | Black, Dark brown, Pale white, Golden brown (female markings) |
| Family | Libellulidae | Libellulidae |
| Habitat | Still or slow-flowing freshwater: ponds, marshes, fens, ditches and sheltered lake margins with emergent vegetation | Ponds, lakes, marshes and slow streams with open sunny areas and emergent vegetation |
| Range | Holarctic: widespread across Europe, temperate and boreal Asia, and northern North America (including much of Canada and northern United States) | Widespread across much of Canada and the United States; generally absent from the far north and extreme arid regions |
| Active | Spring to late summer; in cool regions often appears early in the season. Active by day, most active in warm, sunny conditions | Late spring through summer and into early autumn; most active in warm, sunny weather during the day |
| Pest? | No | No |
🔍How to spot a four-spotted chaser
- Look for a dark spot at the nodus (mid-point) of each wing — four spots total (one on each wing).
- Stocky dragonfly with a dark triangular patch at the base of each hindwing in addition to the nodal spots.
- Olive-brown body with yellow sides and a black-tipped abdomen; males and females look alike.
- Perches flat with wings outstretched on emergent vegetation or bare stems near still water.
🔍How to spot a twelve-spotted skimmer
- Count the dark blotches: three on each wing (base, middle and tip), twelve in total across the four wings.
- Males show pale white patches between some black spots, giving a checkered black-and-white wing pattern.
- Body size medium-large (about 50-57 mm); females and immature males are browner with yellowish markings rather than the contrasty black and white of mature males.
- Habitat: look over sunny, open ponds, lakes and marsh edges where males perch on emergent vegetation or bare twigs.
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a four-spotted chaser and a twelve-spotted skimmer?
Four-spotted skimmer has only four dark spots (one near the nodus on each wing) and lacks the additional spots and white checkered pattern of the twelve-spotted skimmer.
Is a four-spotted chaser or a twelve-spotted skimmer more dangerous?
Four-spotted chaser: Non-toxic. Twelve-spotted skimmer: Non-toxic. Four-spotted chasers are not dangerous to people. Twelve-spotted skimmers are not harmful to people.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.