White-faced Darter vs Twin-spotted Spiketail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White-faced Darter Twin-spotted Spiketail
Scientific Name Leucorrhinia dubia Cordulegaster maculata
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Libellulidae Cordulegastridae
Size 33-37mm 68-78 mm
Habitat Underground Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Omnivores
Regions Europe, Asia North America
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

White-faced Darter

A small dragonfly with a distinctive white face and red markings on a dark body. It is a specialist of acidic bog pools with Sphagnum moss. Males hover over pools displaying their white face.

💡

Did You Know?

It is so dependent on intact peatland bogs that its presence indicates a healthy, undrained peat ecosystem.

Twin-spotted Spiketail

A large, dark brown spiketail with paired yellow spots on each abdominal segment. It is the most common spiketail in eastern North America.

💡

Did You Know?

Its larvae lie partially buried in stream-bottom leaf litter and ambush passing prey.