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 Black Petaltail

 

genus: Tanypteryx

Black Petaltail

This genus consists of only one species in North America which is medium to large in size. It's is mainly a Northern Atlantic specie. The eyes are widely separated and brown. The face black below with pale yellow frons. A yellow spot is visible on the outer surface of each mandible. It's thorax mostly black with small yellow spots on the sides. The abdomen is black with half rings of a yellowish-orange.  The male epiproct is black and widely expanded at the tip. It is very similar in appearance to its other genus member Gray Petaltail, a Pacific Northwest specie.

Females are similar to males but present with a short cerci. Ovipositor is short and stout, upcurving beyond tip of segment 10.

This rather rare dragonfly can be found breeding in bogs, fens and seeps. It's flight is very slow, landing occasionally on tree trunks and branches.

 

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