Common Whitetail (Libellula lydia)

Common Whitetail, Libellula lydia

Elk Grove, IL
2012-05-29

The Whitetail, a North American skimmer dragonfly, belongs to the Libellulidae family. The male Whitetail is characterized by its stout, powdery whitish-blue body and distinctive black spots on its wings. This species is known for its territorial behavior and is fairly abundant in its habitat.

Common Whitetail, Libellula lydia

Elk Grove, IL
2012-05-29

The female Whitetail dragonfly has a robust brown body adorned with three dark brown spots on each wing, totaling twelve spots. Additionally, there are conspicuous white markings on each side of the sternum, making it easily identifiable.

Common Whitetail, Libellula lydia

Elk Grove, IL
2012-07-23

The face and legs of the Whitetail dragonfly are dark brown, while its large compound eyes are an even darker shade of brown. The thorax is brown, gradually transitioning to white towards the abdomen, creating a striking contrast.

Common Whitetail, Libellula lydia

Elk Grove, IL
2014-07-16

The patterns of the patches on the wings vary among individuals. Some have smaller patches, while others have patches that cover almost half of the wings.

Other Libellulidae species:

Twelve-Spotted Skimmer
Libellula pulchella

Widow Skimmer
Libellula luctuosa

Eastern Pondhawk
Erythemis simplicicollis

Autumn Meadowhawk
Sympetrum vicinum

Black Darter
Sympetrum danae

Great Blue Skimmer
Libellula vibrans

Black Saddlebags
Tramea lacerata

Ruby Meadowhawk
Sympetrum rubicundulum

Four-Spotted Pennant
Brachymesia gravida

Scarlet Skimmer
Crocothemis servilia

Eastern Amberwing
Perithemis tenera

Halloween Pennant
Celithemis eponina

Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennis

Carolina Saddlebags
Tramea carolina

Autumn Meadowhawk• Black Darter• Black Saddlebags• Blue Dasher• Carolina Saddlebags• Common Green Darner• Common Whitetail• Eastern Amberwing• Eastern Forktail• Eastern Pondhawk• Eastern Ringtail• Familiar Bluet• Four-Spotted Pennant• Great Blue Skimmer• Halloween Pennant• Ruby Meadowhawk• Scarlet Skimmer• Seaside Dragonlet• Swamp Darner• Twelve-Spotted Skimmer• Widow Skimmer