Arrowhead Spiketail vs Keeled Skimmer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Arrowhead Spiketail Keeled Skimmer
Scientific Name Cordulegaster obliqua Orthetrum coerulescens
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Cordulegastridae Libellulidae
Size 70-80 mm 36-45mm
Habitat Forests Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions North America Europe, Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Arrowhead Spiketail

A large spiketail dragonfly with arrowhead-shaped yellow markings along its dark abdomen. It is found along seepage-fed streams in eastern North American forests.

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Did You Know?

Females can insert eggs directly into hard-packed stream gravel using their spike-like ovipositor.

Keeled Skimmer

A slender dragonfly where mature males develop a powder-blue abdomen. Females and immature males are yellowish-brown. It flies low over shallow boggy streams and seepages.

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Did You Know?

It is an indicator species for high-quality wet heathland, and its presence suggests good habitat condition.