Identify Dragonfly

This pretty insect is a frequent visitor in my garden. Can you tell me more about it?

—JLucille Taggart, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania

Tom: The insect you have here is a widow skimmer dragonfly. It is common in gardens across the country. This flier catches its prey with its wings. It will eat just about anything it catches, including mosquitoes, so the widow skimmer is a welcome addition in many backyards. Dragonflies are pretty amazing insects. They can fly in any direction or hover in midair. The larvae of dragonflies, called nymphs, live in warm waters of ponds, lakes or marshes.

This is a good insect to have in your garden. Hopefully, they will continue to frequent your yard.