Widow Skimmer

The widow skimmer is large skimmer that is found through out most of the eastern half of North America, although they have expanded their range to the Pacific Coast in recent years. They are most often found around ponds or other still bodies of water, especially the males who often patrol a territory around the water waiting for a receptive female.
Females often spend time away from the water, especially right after they emerge, because copulation can be dangerous. The widow skimmer above is either a female or possibly an immature male. Males look similar to females when they emerge but as time passes they develop a powdering substance called pruinose that covers most of their thorax and abdomen making them look blue.