Moved from Libellula.

From "Dragonflies and Damselflies of Texas", John C. Abbott

Length 54-59mm
Abdomen 32-39mm
Hindwing 35-47mm
Identification: This is a brilliant robust, bright-red species. Its face, front of the thorax, and entire abdomen, including caudal appendages, are all brilliant red in mature individuals. The sides of the thorax are reddish brown and unmarked. The wings have a diffuse amber-yellow area basally that extends out to the triangle, where it narrows toward the costal amrgin, terminating near the nodus. The pterostigma are brown and generally longer (6mm) than in Flame Skimmer (L. saturata, less than 5mm). Females may have clear wings. The legs are brown and armed with black spines. Abdominal segment 8 in females is broadly expanded laterally. The thorax and abdomen in young individuals are reddish brown with a pale-yellowish middorsal stripe.
SIMILAR SPECIES: The amber color in the wings of Flame Skimmer (L. saturata) is more extensive, extending beyond the nodus, and there is a darker band basally in the wing. Needham's (L. needhami) and Golden-winged (L. auripennis) Skimmer both have a black middorsal stripe down the abdomen. The Mayan Setwing (Dythemis maya) has a much more slender thorax and abdomen.

Moved from Dragonflies.

Moved from ID Request.