Nebraska Dragonflies and Damselflies

http://www.geocities.com/ne_odes/

Common Whitetail

Plathemis lydia [or Libellula lydia]

The Common Whitetail male is easily recognizable by the black band across each wing and the chalky white abdomen. Females have three dark spots in each wing. Their abdomens are brown with white zig-zag side stripes (unlike the similar female Twelve-spotted Skimmer which has a smooth, uninterrupted side stripe). The young males have abdomens marked like females and wings marked like adult males.

Blue indicates record in Beckemeyer database.
Green indicates record in Sibley database.
Yellow indicates sight or photographic record.