Family: Libellulidae
Length: typically 31-35 mm
This common dragonfly appears early in the season, and is not easily mistaken for any other West Virginia species. In mature males, look for a white face, a furry black thorax, and a black abdomen with a single yellow spot on segment seven.
Females and immature males are similar, but have a number of spots on the abdomen instead of just one.
June is a good time to look for Dot-Tailed Whitefaces. You may see them perching horizontally on sticks or on floating plants. Watch for females ovipositing, tapping the tip of their abdomen on the surface of the water. The male is probably hovering nearby, guarding the female until oviposition is complete.
Youll find Dot-tailed Whitefaces at coal mine settlement ponds, farm ponds, lakes, and sometimes in swampy areas.
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| The females and immature males are similar to mature males in appearance, but have more than a single spot on the abdomen. Regardless of age or gender, the hind wings will have a small dark patch at the base. |
