Common Whitetail vs Canada Darner

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Whitetail Canada Darner
Scientific Name Plathemis lydia Aeshna canadensis
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Libellulidae Aeshnidae
Size 60-68 mm wingspan 62-72 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Common Whitetail

A stocky dragonfly where mature males sport a chalky white abdomen and dark wing bands. It is one of the most frequently observed dragonflies in North America.

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Did You Know?

Male common whitetails are extremely aggressive and will attack and chase away dragonflies much larger than themselves from their territories.

Canada Darner

A common large darner of northeastern North America with blue and green markings. Its notched thoracic stripes help distinguish it from similar species.

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Did You Know?

Its thoracic side stripes have a distinctive notch that separates it from the very similar Lake Darner.