Pacific Spiketail vs Common Blue Damselfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pacific Spiketail Common Blue Damselfly
Scientific Name Cordulegaster dorsalis Enallagma cyathigerum
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Cordulegastridae Coenagrionidae
Size 65-75 mm 29-36 mm body
Habitat Forests Ponds & Lakes
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America Europe, Asia, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Pacific Spiketail

The only spiketail dragonfly on the Pacific coast of North America. It has a dark brown body with yellow dorsal spots and patrols shaded forest seepages.

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Did You Know?

It is the only spiketail species found west of the Rocky Mountains in North America.

Common Blue Damselfly

One of the most widespread damselflies. Males are sky blue with black markings. Forms mating wheels — a unique heart-shaped position during copulation.

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Did You Know?

Damselflies form a unique heart shape when mating — the male grasps the female behind her head, and she curls her abdomen forward to meet his reproductive organs.