Dot-tailed Whiteface
Encyclopedia
The Dot-tailed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta) is a species of dragonfly
in the family
Libellulidae
. It is also one of the most common and widespread in the genus
Leucorrhinia
.
species in appearance and behavior in some cases. It is also similar to the Red-waisted Whitefacee, Crimson-ringed Whiteface, Canada Whiteface, and Boreal Whiteface.
Dragonfly
A dragonfly is a winged insect belonging to the order Odonata, the suborder Epiprocta or, in the strict sense, the infraorder Anisoptera . It is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and an elongated body...
in the family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Libellulidae
Libellulidae
The skimmers or perchers and their relatives form the Libellulidae, the largest dragonfly family in the world. It is sometimes considered to contain the Corduliidae as the subfamily Corduliinae and the Macromiidae as the subfamily Macromiinae. Even if these are excluded , there still remains a...
. It is also one of the most common and widespread in the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Leucorrhinia
Leucorrhinia
Leucorrhinia is a genus of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. They commonly called Whitefaces because of their distinctive pale frons.-Species:Listed alphabetically.*Leucorrhinia albifrons – Dark Whiteface...
.
Naiad
The naiad of the Dot-tailed Whiteface is very small with a length of 9/16 to 3/4 inch (14–19 mm). Its The abdomen is rounded, giving it a short, stocky appearance known as the sprawler form. Its brown in color and marked with either three dark stripes or two rows of dark spots running the length of the underside of the abdomen. There are needle-shaped hooks on the top of abdominal segments three through eight, and a single, rear-facing spine on each side of abdominal segments eight and nine.Adult
The dot-tailed whiteface is a small dragonfly with a length of 1 to 11/5 inches (25 to 38 mm). It is distinguished by the mostly black body, small black basal wing spots, black legs, and white face. Male Dot-tailed Whitefaces have one yellow spot on the dorsal side of the abdomen. Female Dot-tailed Whitefaces have multiple yellow spots along the dorsal side of the abdomen and the last yellow spot is large and square shaped. There is also a small yellow stripe along the lateral edge in the middle of the abdomen. In both sexes, the abdomen has been known to fade when they age.Distribution
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Habitat
The Dot-tailed Whiteface can be found near boggy and marshy ponds and lakes, and beaver ponds. It also can be along farm ponds with water lilies have been known to be used frequently. On hot, sunny days, Dot-tailed Whitefaces can be found basking in clearings on the ground or on twigs.Naiad
Naiads of this species feed on a wide variety of aquatic insects, such as many mosquito larvae, other aquatic fly larvae, mayfly larvae, and freshwater shrimp. They also feed on small fish and tadpoles.Adult
This dragonfly species will eat almost any soft-bodied flying insect including mosquitoes, flies, butterflies, moths, mayflies, and flying ants or termites.Ecology
Naiads live in submerged vegetation. They don't actively chase prey but wait for it to pass by, a strategy which affords them protection from other predators. Naiads will emerge as adults at night. The adult Adults generally fly from early June to early August, its sometimes different months. This whiteface prefers warmer habitats than many other whitefaces, and is often found sitting on lily pads in heavily vegetated ponds. It hunts from the shoreline vegetation, which this species perched on.Reproduction
After mating, the male will actively guard the female with whom he has mated by flying above her while she lays her eggs. He does this to prevent other males from mating with her. A female lays her eggs by dipping the tip of her abdomen in the water while hovering just above its surface.Similar Species
The Dot-tailed Whiteface has many similar-looking species. The Hudsonian Whiteface is usually smaller but can be very similar to this species. This dragonfly is similar to SympetrumSympetrum
Sympetrum is a genus of small to medium sized skimmer dragonflies, known as darters in the UK and as meadowhawks in the North America...
species in appearance and behavior in some cases. It is also similar to the Red-waisted Whitefacee, Crimson-ringed Whiteface, Canada Whiteface, and Boreal Whiteface.