Widow skimmer vs Four-spotted chaser
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a widow skimmer from a four-spotted chaser, and whether either one bites or stings.
Widow skimmer
Libellula luctuosa
Four-spotted chaser
Libellula quadrimaculata
≠The key differences
Four-spotted skimmer has dark spots at the nodus and mid-wing (four spots) rather than the large basal patches and broad white band of the widow skimmer.
⚖︎Side by side
| Widow skimmer | Four-spotted chaser | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Non-toxic | Non-toxic |
| Size | Body length 40-55 mm; wingspan about 80-95 mm | About 39-48 mm body length; wingspan about 70-85 mm |
| Colours | Black, White, Brown, Yellow, Pale blue-grey (pruinescence) | Brown, Black, Pale yellow, Blue-grey (pruinescence) |
| Family | Libellulidae | Libellulidae |
| Habitat | Still or slow-moving freshwater: ponds, marshy lakeshores, oxbow lakes, slow streams with emergent vegetation and open perches nearby. | Still or slow-flowing freshwater: ponds, marshes, fens, ditches and sheltered lake margins with emergent vegetation |
| Range | Widespread across much of the United States and southern Canada; ranges from southern Canada south through much of the U.S., less common in far western arid regions. | Holarctic: widespread across Europe, temperate and boreal Asia, and northern North America (including much of Canada and northern United States) |
| Active | Mainly spring through late summer; most active during warm daylight hours. | Spring to late summer; in cool regions often appears early in the season. Active by day, most active in warm, sunny conditions |
| Pest? | No | No |
🔍How to spot a widow skimmer
- Look for broad dark patches covering the inner half of each wing; in mature males these are followed by a white band.
- Males have a powdery white (pruinescent) abdomen that obscures earlier markings; females are brown with yellow lateral markings.
- Perches openly on exposed twigs, posts or vegetation near water; wings held flat at rest typical of skimmers.
🔍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.
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a widow skimmer and a four-spotted chaser?
Four-spotted skimmer has dark spots at the nodus and mid-wing (four spots) rather than the large basal patches and broad white band of the widow skimmer.
Is a widow skimmer or a four-spotted chaser more dangerous?
Widow skimmer: Non-toxic. Four-spotted chaser: Non-toxic. Widow skimmers are not venomous and do not pose a medical threat. Four-spotted chasers are not dangerous 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.