Widow Skimmer vs Pacific Spiketail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Widow Skimmer | Pacific Spiketail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Libellula luctuosa | Cordulegaster dorsalis |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Libellulidae | Cordulegastridae |
| Size | 60-68 mm wingspan | 65-75 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Widow Skimmer
A distinctive dragonfly with broad dark wing patches at the base and white bands beyond them in mature males. Females and young males lack the white bands.
Did You Know?
The widow skimmer gets its somber common name from the dark mourning-veil-like patches on the wings of females.
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.
Did You Know?
It is the only spiketail species found west of the Rocky Mountains in North America.