Common Whitetail Dragonfly

The common whitetail is a stocky, medium-sized dragonfly found throughout most of the continental United States and southern Canada, almost always near still or slow-moving water. Mature males develop a broad, powdery-white abdomen that contrasts sharply with wide dark bands across each wing, making them one of the more instantly recognizable dragonflies in North America.

Females and immature males look quite different, retaining a brown, pale-spotted abdomen with dark patches concentrated near the wingtips rather than the male's full white body. This strong difference between the sexes can make the species appear to be two different dragonflies to casual observers.

• Medium-sized, stocky dragonfly, body length about 4.2–4.8 cm
• Mature males have a broad, powdery white (pruinose) abdomen and a wide dark band across each wing
• Females and immature males have a brown abdomen with pale side spots and dark patches near the wingtips
• Short, wide abdomen compared to slender darner species
• Distinguished from the widow skimmer by wing pattern: whitetail has one dark band per wing rather than a dark base plus separate pale band

Found around ponds, lakes, slow streams, and other still or slow-moving freshwater habitats throughout most of the continental United States and southern Canada.

Perches conspicuously on open ground, rocks, or low vegetation near water, making short flights to catch small flying insects. Males aggressively defend territories along shorelines, using the flash of the white abdomen in visual displays directed at rival males. As both adult and nymph it is an important predator of mosquitoes and other small insects.

Eggs are laid directly into water or onto wet substrate near the shoreline. Aquatic nymphs prey on other invertebrates and small aquatic animals, developing over roughly one to several months up to about a year depending on climate. Nymphs climb out of the water to emerge as winged adults, typically during the warmer months, with one to two generations possible per year in warmer regions.