Delta-spotted Spiketail vs Elephant Mosquito

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Delta-spotted Spiketail Elephant Mosquito
Scientific Name Cordulegaster diastatops Toxorhynchites rutilus
Order Odonata Diptera
Family Cordulegastridae Culicidae
Size 70-78 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions North America Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Delta-spotted Spiketail

A large spiketail of eastern North America with distinctive triangular yellow spots along its dark abdomen. It patrols forest streams with a slow, deliberate flight.

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Did You Know?

The triangular or delta-shaped abdominal spots give this impressive spiketail its common name.

Elephant Mosquito

A large, iridescent blue-green mosquito whose adults do not bite. Larvae are predators of other mosquito larvae in tree holes.

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Did You Know?

It is studied as a biological control agent because its larvae devour disease-carrying mosquito larvae.