Skip Navigation LinksOdes For Beginners : Identifying Odonates : Odonate Families : Dragonfly Families : Spiketails : Spiketails

Click on the +/- to show or hide content

Skip Navigation Links.

Spiketails

Spiketails

genus:  Cordulegaster

Spiketails

The eight species of spiketails in North America.  The thorax is black or brown with two pale lateral stripes.  The abdomen is black or brown with yellow abdominal markings.  Depending upon species, the yellow abdominal patterns may range from rings, a single row of paired dorsal spots or daggers, or paired rows of laterals spots. Wings are generally clear with dark stigmas.  The head is wide, the eyes meet at a single point on top of a wide head.  The face is mostly greenish or yellowish.

All are similar in appearance and generally distinguished by differences in abdominal pattern and range.  

Spiketails are usually found patrolling low  along seeps or woodland streams.

© 2008 Sheryl Chacon Search Comments or questions?   Contact Us