Spiketails
Family Cordulegastridae
Genus Cordulegaster
Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua)



Flight season: late May to late July.

Population: uncommon. Habitat is shallow, sand-bottomed woodland streams.

Length: about 75 mm. The arrow-shaped yellow markings on the upper surface of the abdomen are distinctive.


Tweed, Ontario, near a sand-bottomed woodland stream east of town along trans-Canada Trail: small sand bottomed creek as well as some standing or slowly moving water in shady forested areas. Sunlit open spaces are created by the trail. The lagoon is located not far to the north.
Male Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua)
June 09, 2014

......................................................................
Male Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua)
June 07, 2015



......................................................................
Several Cordulegaster naiads, from 5 mm to 40 mm in length, have been found in this stream on numerous occassions.
......................................................................
Another three large (about 40 mm long) Spiketail naiads were discovered in a similar habitat near the intersection of Sulphide Rd. and the trans-Canada Trail; an immature male Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua) was observed at this location on June 04, 2016.
......................................................................
Link to images of the Spiketail naiads (2013 and 2014).
......................................................................
Male Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua)
June 09, 2016
Female Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua)
June 09, 2016


East of Tweed, Ontario, near the intersection of Alexander Street and the trans-Canada Trail: disturbed field supporting tall grasses and wildflowers, bordered by shrubs and trees with a sand and rock-bottomed creek to the east.
Male Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua)
June 07, 2015
Female Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua)
June 11, 2011