Common Whitetail vs Norfolk Hawker

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Whitetail Norfolk Hawker
Scientific Name Plathemis lydia Anaciaeschna isosceles
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Libellulidae Aeshnidae
Size 60-68 mm wingspan 62-67mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Wetlands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

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.

Norfolk Hawker

A large brown hawker dragonfly with distinctive green eyes and a yellow triangle on the second abdominal segment. It is associated with grazing marshes containing the water soldier plant.

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Did You Know?

It depends on the water soldier plant for egg-laying, making it vulnerable to the loss of this aquatic plant.