Black-shouldered Spinyleg vs Twelve-Spotted Skimmer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black-shouldered Spinyleg Twelve-Spotted Skimmer
Scientific Name Dromogomphus spinosus Libellula pulchella
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Gomphidae Libellulidae
Size 60-70 mm 65-75 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Black-shouldered Spinyleg

A large, elegant clubtail with distinctive spiny hind legs and black shoulder stripes. It perches conspicuously on rocks and logs along streams.

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Did You Know?

The spiny projections on its hind legs form a basket used to scoop prey out of the air.

Twelve-Spotted Skimmer

A showy dragonfly with three dark spots on each wing, totaling twelve. Mature males develop additional white spots between the dark ones.

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Did You Know?

Despite the name twelve-spotted, mature males actually have 24 wing markings when the white pruinose spots are included.