is this a twin-spotted spiketail? - Cordulegaster maculata - BugGuide.Net

Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) » Dragonflies (Anisoptera) » Spiketails (Cordulegastridae) » Cordulegaster » Twin-Spotted Spiketail (Cordulegaster maculata)

Photo#655434

Copyright © 2012 Rebecca Deatsman

is this a twin-spotted spiketail? - Cordulegaster maculata

Lincoln County, Wisconsin, USA
June 8, 2012

In trying to ID this guy, I found that there are actually several dragonfly species that are black and yellow with green eyes... so did I get it right? Thanks for helping out an odonate newbie!

Contributed by Rebecca Deatsman on 11 June, 2012 - 10:14am

Moved

Moved from Delta-Spotted Spiketail.

… Rebecca Deatsman, 11 June, 2012 - 11:09am

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Rebecca Deatsman, 11 June, 2012 - 11:08am

Spiketail

It sure is a Twin-spotted, a male. Good call. I have only seen a handful and none that were perched. Enjoy the ode-ing.

… DeeDee, 11 June, 2012 - 11:02am

thanks!

I'll move it to the right page. If you have a chance, could you tell me what features confirm the ID?

… Rebecca Deatsman, 11 June, 2012 - 11:08am

Features

The front thoracic stripes and mostly the paired markings along the top fo the abdomen, the shape of the abdomen as well help to confirm id. Other dragonflies exhibit similar markings so always try to get a dorsal shot and a lateral shot. Thoracic markings and facial markings can be of great value in determining id, especially with darners and clubtails (cerci too!).

… DeeDee, 11 June, 2012 - 11:21am

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by: