It is a large species, at 50 millimeters (2 in) long. Each wing has three brown spots. In adult males, additional white spots form between the brown ones and at the bases of the hindwings; it is sometimes called the Ten-spot Skimmer for the number of these white spots.

References

• Dunkle, Sidney W. (2000). Dragonflies through Binoculars. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-511268-7.
• Needham, James G.; Minter J. Westfall, Jr. and Michael L. May Dragonflies of North America (rev. ed.). Gainesville, FL: Scientific Publishers. ISBN 0-945417-94-2.