Dragonflies, Anisoptera, of California

California Dragonflies
aka
California Anisoptera

This page links to photos and information about Dragonflies (Anisoptera), but not Damselflies (Zygoptera)
Return to the opening page - California Dragonflies, Odonata page
Scroll down the page and click on the family of Dragonfly that you want to 'visit' to get there quickly - or, just scroll down the page.

Use the names below as links if you already know the family of the dragonfly you wish to access, or scroll down to choose from the photo links.
1. Skimmers - Libellulidae 2. Emeralds - Corduliidae 3. Darners - Aeshnidae 4. Clubtails- Gomphidae 5. Mixed Families (black& yellow colored)

(Click here to go to my new site for the Dragonflies of the Southwest)

(Click here to go to my new site for the Dragonflies of Jalisco)

The on-line guide begins after this introduction to some of the tools that are helpful in learning about dragonflies and damselflies in California

NOW AVAILABLE!! ~July 20, 2024 *Dragonflies (Anisoptera) of California* click image for more information by Kathy Biggs & Sandra von Arb 2024 5.5" x 8.5" Click here to go to the book's Errata page	.	Updated - May 2019 Dragonflies of California and the Greater Southwest A Beginner's Guide - 6 states - eGuide Use on your Kindle, Tablet, Smartphone or computer - weightless! Includes damselflies by Kathy Biggs - Price $7.99 Buy through Amazon.com (Kindle app)	OUT OF PRINT- Sorry Revision of CA's 1st dragonfly guide: Common Dragonflies of California A Beginner's Pocket Guide (Revised Edition 2009) includes Damselflies by Kathy Biggs 100 species - ONLY $9.95 FITS IN YOUR POCKET! Updates	Available! Dragonflies of the Greater Southwest Includes ALL the species of dragonflies found in California but not the damselflies by Kathy Biggs June 2015 Updates
Dragonflies of North America, A Color and Learn Book with Activities (also available on a CD) by Kathy Biggs and Tim Manolis - 2006 Includes damselflies	.	*Build a Pond for Wildlife* by Kathy Biggs March 2012 Attract dragonflies to your yard! NEW! Click image above to buy on a CD or use links below to buy as an eBook (May 2012) Click here to buy it as a Kindle app at Amazon.com or here to buy it as a Nook app from Barnes and Noble	SORRY - OUT OF PRINT Common Dragonflies of the Southwest, A Beginner's Pocket Guide by Kathy Biggs 2004	2003 The COMPLETE GUIDE for CA: *Dragonflies and Damselflies of California* includes damselflies by Tim Manolis 2003 4-1/2 x 7-1/4" Available through Amazon.com

Family: SKIMMERS - Libellulidae Field/photo key to Skimmers	Family: SKIMMERS - Libellulidae 17 CA genera, including Gliders, Skimmers, Meadowhawks, Saddlebags, Whitefaces, Whitetails & more; totaling 42 species sizes: quite variable, lengths: 23 - 65 mm males: showy nonmetallic colors; some wings patterned; bodies shorter than wingspans; eyes broadly touching females: frequently more brown or paler than males, usually having similar wing markings; most splash oviposit habitats: lakes and ponds; still waters of river pools; 2 species at moving water behaviors: most perch horizontally and fly out to hawk prey; males usually hover-guard ovipositing females distribution: found throughout the state, all altitudes Amberwings Perithemis - tiny; wings amber colored; arid regions; 1 CA species Blue Dasher Pachydiplax - small, blue with white-face; 1 CA species Clubskimmers Brechmorhoga - large, clubbed abdomen; moving water; 1 CA species Coastal Pennants Macrodiplax - small, dark, dark basal wing area; 1 CA species Corporals Ladona - UNCOMMON; medium, dark with white pruinosity; mountain lakes; 1 CA species Dragonlets Erythrodiplax - RARE; lacey wings, chevroned abdomen, striped eyes; 1 CA species Filigree Skimmer Pseudoleon - RARE; small dark, developing thin pruinosity; 1 CA species 1. King Skimmers with red bodies and red in the wings Libellula - common; showy; wings held out flat; 2 with red; 9 total CA species 2. King Skimmers with blue bodies &/or dark spots/bands on the wings Libellula - common; showy; wings held out flat; 6 with dark spots on the wings; 1 species with blue body & clear wings; 9 total CA species Meadowhawks Sympetrum - small; reddish; wings held downward; all but one species is red, Amberwings Perithemis - tiny; wings amber colored; arid regions; 1 CA species Blue Dasher Pachydiplax - small, blue with white-face; 1 CA species Clubskimmers Brechmorhoga - large, clubbed abdomen; moving water; 1 CA species Coastal Pennants Macrodiplax - small, dark, dark basal wing area; 1 CA species Corporals Ladona - UNCOMMON; medium, dark with white pruinosity; mountain lakes; 1 CA species Dragonlets Erythrodiplax - RARE; lacey wings, chevroned abdomen, striped eyes; 1 CA species Filigree Skimmer Pseudoleon - RARE; small dark, developing thin pruinosity; 1 CA species 1. King Skimmers with red bodies and red in the wings Libellula - common; showy; wings held out flat; 2 with red; 9 total CA species 2. King Skimmers with blue bodies &/or dark spots/bands on the wings Libellula - common; showy; wings held out flat; 6 with dark spots on the wings; 1 species with blue body & clear wings; 9 total CA species Meadowhawks Sympetrum - small; reddish; wings held downward; all but one species is red, 1 is black; 10 CA species Pondhawks Erythemis- small/med, blue &/or green, with green-face; 1 CA species Rainpool Gliders Pantala - strong flyers; often seen flying high overhead; hang perch; 2 CA species Rock Skimmers Paltothemis - patterned red body with red in the wings; 1 CA species Saddlebags Tramea - dark areas at hind wing base; strong fliers; 3 CA species Tropical King Skimmers Orthemis - rose, purple & carmine red colored bodies; clear wings; 1 CA species Tropical Pennants Brachymesia - red, ski-tipped appendages; 1 CA species Whitefaces Leucorrhinia - small; dark body & eyes; bright white faces; 4 CA species Whitetails Plathemis - medium; bright white bodies and dark with bands; 2 CA species nymph are short, wide, sprawl Pondhawks Erythemis- small/med, blue &/or green, with green-face; 1 CA species Rainpool Gliders Pantala - strong flyers; often seen flying high overhead; hang perch; 2 CA species Rock Skimmers Paltothemis - patterned red body with red in the wings; 1 CA species Saddlebags Tramea - dark areas at hind wing base; strong fliers; 3 CA species Tropical King Skimmers Orthemis - rose, purple & carmine red colored bodies; clear wings; 1 CA species Tropical Pennants Brachymesia - red, ski-tipped appendages; 1 CA species Whitefaces Leucorrhinia - small; dark body & eyes; bright white faces; 4 CA species Whitetails Plathemis - medium; bright white bodies and dark with bands; 2 CA species nymph are short, wide, sprawl
Family: EMERALDS - Corduliidae Field/Photo key	Family: EMERALDS - Corduliidae archaic name: Green-eyed Skimmers 3 CA genera including Baskettails, Common and Striped Emeralds, totaling 5 species sizes: medium - with length of 42 - 55 mm males: often dark having brilliant metallic tones; some have bodies that are patterned; all have brilliant emerald green or teal green eyes with abdomens that are expanded at the midpoint - spindle shaped females: like the males except their bodies are more stout with a more even shape habitats: wooded ponds and streams, usually in the mountains behaviors: mass emergences early in season; perch by hanging; strong, fast and erratic flyers; sometimes difficult to find, scarce distribution: found in the central and northern parts of the state, often at high altitudes Baskettails Epitheca - non-metallic colors; brown and yellow patterned; hairy thoraxes; found at lower elevations than others; often fly at waist height along trails and paths in sunlit areas; 2 CA species Common Emeralds Cordulia - dark with metallic green with divergent forked appendages; 1 CA species Striped Emeralds Somatochlora - dark with metallic green; high flyers; long appendages pointed inwards; 2 CA species nymph: hairy, dark colored
Family: DARNERS - Aeshnidae Field/photo key to California's Darners Photo of and discussion of an Aeshna shedding its exoskeleton	Family: DARNERS - Aeshnidae 4 CA genera, including 11 species: sizes: large, robust; fast; lengths: 56 - 111 mm males: large eyes, bodies brilliant blue and/or green with brown females: many color forms, most showing green and/or yellow instead of blue, with a background of brown and/or purple, others like male, ovipositor under tail base habitats: breed in lakes, creeks, rivers; feed over fields behaviors: usually seen in flight; patrol waterways but also often seen catching insects over fields; perch by hanging vertically; most solo oviposit into floating vegetation; some swarm; some migrate; blue coloration darkens when cool distribution: found throughout the state, at all altitudes Green Darners Anax - robust, large green eyes meet in center, forms a seam, thorax solid green, abdomen more solidly colored, wings mostly clear but may be yellow-tinged, some are migratory - 2 CA species Mosaic Darners, Aeshna* - large blue eyes meet in the center, form a seam, mosaic patterned abdomen, difficult to distinguish to species without catching them (in net or digitally) - 4 CA species: Research in 2003 split the genus Aeshna* Neotropical/Blue-eyed Darners, Rhionaeschna* - like Mosaic Darners, but having a small bump under the 1st segment - 3 CA species Research in 2003 split these from the genus Aeshna* Riffle Darners Oplonaeschna - RARE - very similar to Mosaic darners; top of segment 10 has a fingerlike projection - 1 CA species nymph - long and slender, crawl about on underwater vegetation
Family: CLUBTAILS - Gomphidae Field/Photo key to clubtails An interesting exuviae pileup!	Family: CLUBTAILS - Gomphidae 6 CA genera totaling 12 species including the Ringtails, Snaketails, Hanging Clubtails, and others sizes: large, lengths: 41 - 83 mm males: most have an enlarged area at end of abdomen; black, brown, green and/or yellow patterned; clear wings with wide stigmas; small eyes widely separated; sprawling legs; well camouflaged, snakelike patterning, no blue or red coloring females: often yellow where male green; bodies cylindrical habitats: rivers, streams behaviors: males perch on ground/rocks at beach in sunlit areas;females more often found out on vegetation distribution: statewide American Clubtails Phanogomphus [was Gomphus until 2017] - some occur at ponds and lakes - 1 CA species Hanging Clubtails Stylurus - narrow pale triangles down top of black/brown abdomen; hang perch; most in arid lands - 3 CA species Grappletail Octogomphus - abdomen thin & less patterned than others - 1 CA species Ringtails Erpetogomphus - ringed appearance to abdomen; short legs - 2 CA species Sanddragons Progomphus - narrow clubbed abdomen; short legs - 1 CA species Snaketails Ophiogomphus - very similar with snakelike patterning; most in arid lands - 4 CA species nymph usually have a life cycle of 2+ years; hide under gravel/sand in riverbeds
MIXED FAMILIES: Black and Yellow coloration Field/photo key to black & yellow mixed families dragonflies	MIXED FAMILIES - Black and Yellow coloration 3 CA families, each with one species, totaling 3 species: sizes: large; lengths: 54 - 85 mm males: members of these families & genera have dark background color with yellow markings on the thorax and abdomen; compare by markings, eye shape and color, and by appendage shapes females: marked like the males but bodies more stout habitats: life cycle of 2+ years in rivers, streams, seeps behaviors: Petaltail flight weak, others very strong fliers distribution: Petaltail in north; others almost statewide Petaltail Petaluridae - dark eyes do not touch; spots (not stripes) on thorax & abdomen; long stigma; petal-like appendages; nymph semi terrestrial, burrows in seeps - 1 CA species (uncommon) Cruisers Macromiidae - gray eyes just touch each other; single yellow stripe thorax side; long legs; body arched in powerful flight - 1 CA species Spiketails Cordulegasteridae - teardrop shaped blue eyes barely touch each other; thorax - two wide yellow stripes top and each side - 1 CA species (2 races)

Family: SKIMMERS - Libellulidae Field/photo key to Skimmers	Family: SKIMMERS - Libellulidae 17 CA genera, including Gliders, Skimmers, Meadowhawks, Saddlebags, Whitefaces, Whitetails & more; totaling 42 species sizes: quite variable, lengths: 23 - 65 mm males: showy nonmetallic colors; some wings patterned; bodies shorter than wingspans; eyes broadly touching females: frequently more brown or paler than males, usually having similar wing markings; most splash oviposit habitats: lakes and ponds; still waters of river pools; 2 species at moving water behaviors: most perch horizontally and fly out to hawk prey; males usually hover-guard ovipositing females distribution: found throughout the state, all altitudes Amberwings Perithemis - tiny; wings amber colored; arid regions; 1 CA species Blue Dasher Pachydiplax - small, blue with white-face; 1 CA species Clubskimmers Brechmorhoga - large, clubbed abdomen; moving water; 1 CA species Coastal Pennants Macrodiplax - small, dark, dark basal wing area; 1 CA species Corporals Ladona - UNCOMMON; medium, dark with white pruinosity; mountain lakes; 1 CA species Dragonlets Erythrodiplax - RARE; lacey wings, chevroned abdomen, striped eyes; 1 CA species Filigree Skimmer Pseudoleon - RARE; small dark, developing thin pruinosity; 1 CA species 1. King Skimmers with red bodies and red in the wings Libellula - common; showy; wings held out flat; 2 with red; 9 total CA species 2. King Skimmers with blue bodies &/or dark spots/bands on the wings Libellula - common; showy; wings held out flat; 6 with dark spots on the wings; 1 species with blue body & clear wings; 9 total CA species Meadowhawks Sympetrum - small; reddish; wings held downward; all but one species is red, 1 is black; 10 CA species Pondhawks Erythemis- small/med, blue &/or green, with green-face; 1 CA species Rainpool Gliders Pantala - strong flyers; often seen flying high overhead; hang perch; 2 CA species Rock Skimmers Paltothemis - patterned red body with red in the wings; 1 CA species Saddlebags Tramea - dark areas at hind wing base; strong fliers; 3 CA species Tropical King Skimmers Orthemis - rose, purple & carmine red colored bodies; clear wings; 1 CA species Tropical Pennants Brachymesia - red, ski-tipped appendages; 1 CA species Whitefaces Leucorrhinia - small; dark body & eyes; bright white faces; 4 CA species Whitetails Plathemis - medium; bright white bodies and dark with bands; 2 CA species nymph are short, wide, sprawl
Photos male male male male male male male male male male male male images by Doug Aguillard at his website images at Odonata of Orange County image by Mark Chappell at his website female female female female female male-colored female female ovipositing Scans male male male male-colored female female exuvia	Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata archaic name - Big Red Skimmer size: medium/large, length 50 - 60 mm, wingspan 85 - 93 mm male: red-orange eyes, face, thorax, legs, abdomen and appendages; thorax unstriped; wings reddish from base to slightly beyond nodus, red streak along leading edge from nodus to stigma, red veins; wings when at rest held out flat, not downward female: usually paler than male, wings show an orange streak along the leading wing edges and brown streaks near the base; 2nd wing vein from front edge yellow; rarer male-like form exists similar species: male Neon Skimmer has less color in wings; Cardinal Meadowhawk often holds wings down and forward; female Neon Skimmer's second wing vein from front edge not yellow habitat: ponds, lakes, slow streams, pools of rivers behavior: males claim territory perching at water; perch with wings held out flat; hawk insects from perch females solo splash oviposit California flight period: February - December California distribution: common statewide California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male male images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website multiple images Orange County images by Mark Chappell at his website female female female female female female Scans male female	Neon Skimmer Libellula croceipennis size: large, length 54 - 59 mm, wingspan 78 - 92 mm male: very wide bright neon red/pink abdomen, thorax, face, eyes & legs; thorax and underside can be tawny; noticeable pale line atop thorax; red on wings does not extend as far as the nodus except near the leading edge, mostly basal, stigma wide, dark outline female: wide pale tan/orange body, noticeable pale stripe atop thorax; wings mostly clear, lacks brown streaks or 2nd vein from front's being yellow similar species: male Flame Skimmer has color in wings clear to the nodus comparison photo #1 to more common male Flame Skimmer comparison photo #2 to more common male Flame Skimmer female Flame Skimmer has more color in wings, with 2nd vein from front being yellow habitat: marshy creeks/ditches behavior: perches with wings out flat, often in the shade flight period: April - November California distribution: many areas but sporadic California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male images by Bob Miller at his website images by Doug Aguillard at his website images at Odonata of Orange County images by Don Roberson at his Monterey website images by Mark Chappell at his website female female female female possibe migratory event at Doug Aguillard's website Scans female	Red Rock Skimmer Paltothemis lineatipes archaic name - rusty skimmer size: medium, length 45 - 55 mm, wingspan 90 - 95 mm male: face red, legs and eyes rusty red; abdomen intricately patterned with rusty red and black; variable amount rusty red on inner wings (usually nearly to nodus), short dark stigma; thorax can be olive-brown on sides female: tan/brown; intricate batik-like pattern but no red on body; no color in wings behavior: perches on midstream rocks habitat: rocky streams flight period: all year in appropriate weather California distribution: all but far north eastern Calif. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male immature male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website female image by Tom Murray at his website female female female female female female dark female female with eggs Scans male immature male male male male female	Band-winged Meadowhawk Sympetrum semicinctum, NOTE: this species 'LUMPED' - prior to 2007 it was known as Western Meadowhawk Sympetrum occidentale size: medium length 28 - 36 mm, wingspan 45 - 55 mm male: abdomen deep red with black markings on the lower sides and atop segments 8 & 9; hind wings rusty to nodus, front wings usually less colored than hind wings; 3 irregular black stripes on thorax sides that are shaped like black flames; black legs; eyes and face dark rusty red; immature males are yellow like females female: usually yellow where male is red, but mature females may turn red; often less color in wings than males habitat: weedy ponds, lakes flight period: April - November California distribution: found in many areas, usually in the hills or mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male male male male male male immature male immature male immature male immature male immature male tandem pair tandem pairs tandem pair tandem pair pair in wheel images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Don Roberson at his Monterey website images at Odonata of Orange County female female female teneral female pair in wheel nymph eggs eggs eggs emergence sequence emergence sequence Scans male males male female female female nymph exuviae exuviae	Cardinal Meadowhawk Sympetrum illotum archaic name - dusty skimmer size: medium, length 31 - 40 mm, wingspan 52 - 60 mm male: cardinal red head, thorax, abdomen, wing veins; red on wings diffuse, only close to body and near leading edge; wings have very small dark streaks at extreme base; thorax sides have two small white spots; body with no black, appears stubby; red legs female: less colorful, often reddish tan; stout; pale red legs similar species: Red-veined Meadowhawk has black legs; Flame Skimmer holds wings out flat behavior: like most meadowhawks, perches with wings often held down and forward tandem oviposit most frequently, but sometimes males hover guard if no other males are around and all females will solo oviposit if they can get away with it: video clip (~5 MB) of female solo ovipositing on Facebook - click on link to play Emerge on vegetation about 3" above the waterline, most often during the mornings habitat: ponds, lakes flight period: February - December California distribution: common statewide California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male male male male immature male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website female female female close up of thorax female immature female Scans male male female	Red-veined Meadowhawk Sympetrum madidum size: medium, length 40 - 45 mm, wingspan 60 - 68 mm male: dark red face and abdomen.; thoracic stripes partly obscured by red; underside abdomen dark, usually dark spots atop segments 8 & 9; distinct red wing stripe touches darkish stigma; no black areas near wing base; jet black legs female: tawny body; segments 1 & 2 bulbous; dull yellow face; wings like male; jet black legs; can become red like a male similar species: Cardinal Meadowhawk has pale red legs, Saffron-winged Meadowhawk has black on thorax sides behavior: like most meadowhawks, perches with wings often held down and forward habitat: ponds, marshes, lakes flight period: March - September California distribution: sporadic, sometimes uncommon California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male young male immature male immature male immature male pair pair images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website female female female Scans male male male teneral male pair pair pair female female female female female	Saffron-winged Meadowhawk Sympetrum costiferum size: small, length 31 - 39 mm, wingspan 52 - 63 mm male: body red when mature; immature is golden; leading wing veins golden to yellow/red dark edged stigma; usually dark spots atop seg. 8 & 9; underside abdomen black; legs striped black and yellow female: like immature male; beautiful saffron yellow body similar species: Red-veined Meadowhawk has white on thorax sides habitat: woody marshes, ponds, lakes, creeks California flight period: June - late October California distribution: eastern mountains (Sierra Nevada, Cascades) California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male pair images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website female female Scans male side view male top view teneral male side view teneral male top view immature female side view teneral female side view teneral female side view teneral female top view	Autumn [formerly Yellow-legged] Meadowhawk Sympetrum vicinum size: small/medium, length 28 - 35 mm, wingspan 42 - 46 mm male: all red body when mature; immature yellow; no stripes on thorax; slender abdomen with greatly reduced or no black; thin yellow-red legs; wings clear with yellow-amber at base and no stripe ; often the last species flying in the fall female: less colorful; very prominent ovipositor; segments 2-3 bulbous when seen from the side habitat: lakes, ponds California flight period: July - November. primarily a late season flier California distribution: northeastern mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male immature male immature male immature male young male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Don Roberson at his Monterey website female female female female female female Scans male immature male very mature male female female	Striped Meadowhawk Sympetrum pallipes size: medium, length 34 - 38 mm, wingspan 56 - 62 mm male: mature red, immature golden; 2 pale top and side thoracic stripes (top stripes lacking in other red-abdomened CA meadowhawks); pale face; clear wings, one rust vein; velvet-like dots where wings join thorax; rounded black marks low on abdomen female: tawny or red brown similar species: White-faced Meadowhawk lacks white stripes on thorax; has jagged dark marks low on abdomen; Variegated Meadowhawk's abdomen isn't mostly red habitat: ponds and lakes behavior: tandem oviposit, sometimes over dry ground near lakeshore California flight period: April - December, more common in fall California distribution: all but far southern Calif. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male female female images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website pair female Scans male male - OR male - OR male - BC female	White-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum obtrusum size: small, length 30 - 39 mm, wingspan 48 - 55 mm male: white face; abdomen and thorax red; thoracic side stripes on immatures only, no top stripes; distinct black triangles lower sides of abdomen; wings with amber wash near base, veins not reddish female: golden or similar to male; face greenish white similar species: Striped Meadowhawk has white stripes on thorax; rounded dark marks low on abdomen habitat: marshes, lakes, wet meadows in highlands California flight period: May - late October; more common in the fall California distribution: northern mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website female female female female Scans male male male male male males immature male immature male female female female female female females	Cherry-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum internum size: small/medium length 28 - 36 mm, wingspan 46 - 52 mm male: overall dark red; plain brown-red thorax; dull cherry red face when mature immature - tawny yellow; black legs; clear wings with leading veins reddish yellow, only a small basal amber wash; triangular black marks low on abdomen sides female: body less colorful; wings at base extensively amber colored with orange veins at the wing base; can have as much color in wings as a Western/Band-winged Meadowhawk similar species: compare male to White-faced Meadowhawk, females to Band-winged Meadowhawk habitat: wet meadows; slow waters California flight period: June - September California distribution: RARE: north eastern mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male mature male mature male male in flight male in flight images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Don Roberson at his Monterey website images at Odonata of Orange County images by Mark Chappell at his website female female female female female female female pair in wheel pair ovipositing Scans male male male male teneral male very mature male female female female	Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum archaic name - pastel skimmer size: medium, length 34 - 43 mm, wingspan 60 - 66 mm male: quite variable; olive/gray and reddish-orange plaid, turns redder as it ages; unique white porthole-like spots low on abdomen; thoracic white stripes end in yellow spot, then the white becomes obscured as it matures; stigma bicolored; leading wing veins colored female: less red; more muted &/or pastel habitat: all slow water behavior: migratory; some over winter flight period: year round, migratory; may over winter California distribution: common statewide California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images at Odonata of Orange County images by Mark Chappell at his website female female female Scans male male immature male female female	Red-tailed Pennant Brachymesia furcata size: medium, length 39 - 46 mm, wingspan 65 - 74 mm male: Meadowhawk-like; stocky; face & dark eyes; abdomen red; thorax olive/brown; usually thin dark ring each abdominal segment, black spots atop segment 8 & 9; wings have dark veins, amber at base with long stigma; segments 2 & 3 bulbous; legs black; appendages appear ski-tipped female: yellowish brown with pale stripe between wings; wings with amber wash at abdomen base; small black spots segments * & 9 habitat: ponds, lakes, canals behavior: perches with wings out flat California flight period: April - December California distribution: southern Calif. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male multiple images images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website female female female female Scans male female - OR female - OR	Hudsonian Whiteface Leucorrhinia hudsonica size: small, length 30 - 36 mm, wingspan 44 - 57 mm male: dainty; dark eyes; bright white face; red on thorax and segments 1 & 2; abdomen black with red spots along top of segments 3-7 (yellow in immature); costa yellow from nodus; the veins within the dark hindwing spot are pale and can often be seen female: same or black with yellow similar species: compare closely to immature and females of other Whiteface species - pale spot on segment 7 always longer than wide habitat: sedge marshes; shallow pond edges with sedges California flight period: late May - September California distribution: northern mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website pair in wheel pair in wheel Scans male young male pair pair female female teneral female female & exuvia	Crimson-ringed Whiteface Leucorrhinia glacialis size: medium, length 35 - 39 mm, wingspan 54 - 60 mm male: black with only segments 1 & 2 and thorax marked with red; bright white face; lower appendages half the length of the uppers female: same or yellow & black;two rows of cells on radial planate (see link below) similar species: RARE Belted Whiteface's lower appendages are 2/3rds length of uppers. To identify species use wing venation illustration for males and females and appendage length for males. habitat: boggy ponds, mountain lakes California flight period: late May - early September California distribution: northern mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male pair in wheel - BC Scans scans by Dennis Paulson at his website	Belted [formerly Red-waisted] Whiteface Leucorrhinia proxima size: medium, length 32 - 38 mm, wingspan 50 - 55 mm male: black with only segments 1 & 2 and thorax marked with red; bright white face; lower appendage length 2/3rds length of uppers; to identify to species use wing venation illustrations female: same or yellow & black habitat: boggy ponds, mountain lakes California flight period: June - August California distribution: RARE: Plumas County, Willow Lake [not found in state since 2006] California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male male male images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website female mature female immature female Scans male male	Dot-tailed Whiteface Leucorrhinia intacta size: medium length 29 - 35 mm, wingspan 48 - 58 mm male: black body and eyes with bright white face; mature male has large yellow dot only on segment 7; immature is marked like female, then as it matures the yellow becomes obscured. Make identification carefully as there are many transitional stages female: like male or showing much more yellow, even atop abdomen, and always including segment 7 habitat: spring-fed ponds, bogs, lakes; often with water lilies California flight period: late April - early September California distribution: northern mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male immature male teneral male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website female female female female female - Europe! teneral female pair Scans male male male immature male - OR immature male - OR immature male pair female female	Black Meadowhawk Sympetrum danae aka Black Darter (Europe) size: very small, length 27 - 32 mm, wingspan 44 - 49 mm male: when mature, all black including face; clear wings, dark stigma; legs all black; very petite; immature shows complex yellow markings thorax sides including 3 yellow dots in black belt, yellow areas along and atop abdomen and on face female: like immature male; variable amber wing wash habitat: all slow mountain waters California flight period: June - late October California distribution: northern mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male, side view male, side view male male male in flight male in flight image by Dennis Paulson at his website images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Don Roberson at his Monterey website female female female Scans male male male female female female	Pale-faced Clubskimmer Brechmorhoga mendax size: large, length 52 - 63 mm, wingspan 68 - 88 mm male: narrow abdomen is club-shaped at end, 2 large very closely spaced pale spots atop segment 7, smaller gray areas segments 1-5; gray face and thoracic stripes; clear wings; female: like male but wings tips and small basal area brown; abdomen not as clubbed behavior: hang perch; males patrol streams, rivers, flying across the width at areas with ripples; females oviposit at river areas with ripples similar species: Clubtails often perch on rocks and near river edges; their eyes don't touch habitat: moving waters of rivers and streams California flight period: April - November California distribution: valleys and foothills California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website female female female Scans male female female female	Marl Pennant Macrodiplax balteata size: small/medium, length 36 - 44 mm, wingspan 67 - 72 mm male: all dark wide head & eyes; small dark basal patches on wings; dark hairy thorax; abdomen with thin pale rings female: wings like male; pale face; thorax & abdomen yellow on golden brown; thorax sides have 3 pale areas; abdomen tip dark habitat: brackish coastal ponds, desert oases; specializes on saline & especially alkaline habitats California flight period: May - October California distribution: southeastern, uncommon California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male images by Doug Aguillard at his website male - AZ male - AZ male - AZ male- AZ female Scans male -AZ immature male -AZ	Plateau Dragonlet Erythrodiplax basifusca size: small/medium, length 24 - 34 mm, wingspan 43 - 53 mm male: black abdomen develops thin blue pruinosity on segments 1-7; face tawny to metallic black; wings clear except hind wing often with small basal dark amber patch female: yellow, brown side stripe habitat: marshy ponds, lakes California flight period: mid-July; single occuarence California distribution: RARE; West Pond, Imperial Dam Recreation Area, Imperial Co. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male male male images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images at Odonata of Orange County images by Mark Chappell at his website female female female Scans male male female female female female	Mexican Amberwing Perithemis intensa size: very small, length 23 - 29 mm, wingspan 40- 45 mm male: very small & stubby; all bright orange including legs and wings, orange stigma; thorax tawny, no distinct spots; very unwary; tend to perch on twigs; immatures more yellow female: yellow-orange body; wings - amber-orange bands with dark spots, darker stigma than male behavior: very unwary; tend to perch on twigs habitat: ponds, lakes, slow streams, pools of rivers California flight period: April - November California distribution: southern Calif. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male immature male immature male images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Bob Miller at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website multiple images by Don Roberson at his website multiple images by Mark Chappell at his website female female female male & ovipositing female Scans male female female - AZ female - AZ	Roseate Skimmer Orthemis ferruginea size: medium, length 47 - 55 mm, wingspan 80 - 92 mm male: thorax rose pink &/or plum pruinose; rose pruinose on abdomen; clear wings very narrowly tipped with brown, wide stigma; face purple, top metallic; purple/brown eyes female: orange-brown; complex pale pattern thorax sides; light stripe atop thorax center; segment 8 with noticeable flanges; long stigma, brown tip similar species: Carmine Skimmer (O. discolor) has bright red top to the frons (face) whereas on Roseate the top of the frons is irridescent purple habitat: ponds, lakes, canals California flight period: all year in the south California distribution: southern Calif. - found once in Santa Cruz (2013) California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male male male in flight images by Doug Aguillard at his website images at Odonata of Orange County images by Mark Chappell at his website female female female female Scans male male	Red Saddlebags Tramea onusta size: medium length 41 - 49 mm, wingspan 80 - 90 mm male: red or rusty red including eyes; thorax tawny; black spots atop segments 8-10; hind wings base has broad red saddle mark does not show dark streaks at the base of the forewing female: tawny; black spots atop tip of abdomen similar species: Rare Striped Saddlebags has stripes on thorax, much narrower 'saddle' marks behavior: migratory; during especially warm weather has dispersal events when it flies to the north; powerful flier; frequently perch with abdomen lowered, using the saddle mark to shade their abdomen habitat: warm shallow ponds California flight period: early February - November California distribution: southern (strays north) California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos multiple images male male male in flight images by Doug Aguillard at his website images at Mark Chappell's website female Scans male by Dennis Paulson at his website male by Forrest Mitchell from his book A Dazzle of Dragonflies female by Dennis Paulson at his website female	Striped Saddlebags Tramea darwini note: formerly T. calverti size: medium length 45 - 49 mm, wingspan 80 - 86 mm male: similar to Red Saddlebags but with 2 pale stripes on side of thorax; mostly red or rusty red including eyes; segments 8-10 become dark on top & sides; hind wings have narrow dark saddle mark; often slightly yellow; powerful flier female: tawny; 2 broad side stripes on thorax; segments 8-10 of abdomen black similar species: Red Saddlebags has NO stripes on thorax, much wider 'saddle' marks habitat: warm shallow ponds and other quiet waters, including brackish and temporary California flight period: August - November California distribution: RARE: only recently found in CA (2006 - possibly strays) California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Mark Chappell at his website images at Odonata of Orange County in flight pair in flight female female female female female female female female Scans male male male male male male male female	Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata archaic name - black-mantled glider size: medium/large, length 47 - 55 mm, wingspan 92 - 100 mm male: black body; diffuse yellow spot top of abdomen; broad black saddle mark on hind wings; folded long legs give thorax bulky look in flight at least some of the time, shows dark streaks at the base of the forewing female: similar but more brown, yellow spots atop segments 2-7 habitat: ponds, lakes, creeks, and slow areas of rivers behavior: tandem oviposit - "Tramea Dance 1" powerful flier; usually perch horizontally; migratory flight period: March - November California distribution: common statewide California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male in flight images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Bob Miller at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images at Odonata of Orange County images by Mark Chappell at his website female female female Scans male male female side view female top view female top view female	Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens aka Globe Skimmer (Europe) size: medium, length 44 - 51 mm, wingspan 81 - 91 mm male: golden yellow-brown with dark pattern along abdomen top; yellowish face; mature has red eyes; broad clear wings, hind wing very wide, sometimes a yellow wash at tips and at the base, golden stigma female: similar similar species: Spot-winged glider has a dark basal wing spot; comparison shot, another behavior: strong gliding flight; vagrant, migrant; seldom perch, often feed in mixed swarms, follow weather fronts; can complete life cycle in only a few weeks/months, unlike other dragonflies which take about a year habitat: open still waters (even temporary); frequently found in yards California flight period: all year in the south, March - December in the north California distribution: statewide; a cosmopolitan species California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male in flight images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images at Odonata of Orange County multiple images at Mark Chappell's website female female female female emergence Scans male male male male female female female female nymph exuviae	Spot-winged Glider Pantala hymenaea size: medium length 43 - 51 mm, wingspan 85 - 95 mm male: robust; body patterned golden browns, generally darker brown than Wandering Glider; tawny or rufous stigma; red face; clear front wing; wide hind wing with a small round dark basal spot (often difficult to see in flight) female: like male, patterned less boldly; yellow face similar species: Wandering Glider lacks basal dark spot on hind wing; comparison shot, another behavior: flier, seldom perch, often feed in mixed swarms, strong gliding flight; migrant, often seen after weather change follow weather fronts; can complete life cycle in only a few weeks/months, unlike other dragonflies which take about a year habitat: ponds (even temporary), lakes, river backwaters, yards California flight period: February- December California distribution: statewide; common in southern lowlands California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male ID hint images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Bob Miller at his website images at Odonata of Orange County images by Mark Chappell at his website male emergence sequence female female female female female female emergence sequence Scans male teneral male female	Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis size: medium length 32 - 42 mm, wingspan 50 - 60 mm male: pruinose blue, developing dark tip, tan under segments 1-3; distinctive white face with black between the eyes which are all black on the rear edges; striped thorax can become all blue; teal green/blue eyes; wings can show brown tinted areas female: rectangular buff marks on dark background; no other is like it; white face similar species: Western Pondhawk has GREEN face and alternating green and black spots on the rear of the eyes (visible from the side or from behind); Comanche Skimmer has white stigmas; Bleached Skimmer has pale eyes behavior: often perches with wings held down and forward, but also often holds them out flat; usually perches on vegetation habitat: ponds, slow waters California flight period: February- November California distribution: common statewide California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos immature male male images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Mark Chappell at his website female female female female female female female female females female Scans male male immature male immature male immature male immature male immature male immature male female female female	Western Pondhawk Erythemis collocata size: medium length 39 - 42 mm, wingspan 60 - 65 mm male: pruinose blue with bright green face; deep blue eyes with back margin patterned with alternating green and black spots; dark yellow stigma edged in black; dark appendages; immature like female with thorax last to turn blue, no dark patches/spots/bands on wings female: emerald green body has a thin dark line along middle top; some yellow near tip; green eyes; no other like her similar species: Blue Dasher has WHITE face (but green eyes can fool you, look carefully!) and black rear of eyes; Comanche Skimmer has white stigmas; Bleached Skimmer has pale eyes behavior: usually perches low, often on or near the ground or on floating vegetation; can perch with wings held down and forward, but often hold them out flat; known to prey on other dragonflies, (2nd image) habitat: ponds, creek pools California flight period: February - October California distribution: common statewide California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA male - CA multiple images - CR & TX multiple images - AZ/MX male - TX female - TX Scans female top - TX female side - TX	New to Calif. 2012 Great Pondhawk Erythemis vesiculosa size: large, length 55 - 65 mm, wingspan 80 - 82 mm male: narrow long green abdomen with dark and pale bands; eyes green-gray; appendages white; juvenile has green stigma; wary; often flies with abdomen raised 30 degrees female: like male; eyes dark brown; thin abdomen with short inconspicuous ovipositor habitat: ponds; pools of creeks and rivers flight period: February 2 - October 2 distribution: southern, rare, vagrant California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male males immature male immature male immature male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Bob Miller at his website female female female females female female female female Scans male male male scans by Dennis Paulson at his website female female female by Dennis Paulson at his website	Comanche Skimmer Libellula comanche size: medium/large, length 46 - 56 mm, wingspan 70 - 89 mm male: pruinose blue body with white face; pearly blue or greenish eyes; wings clear, bold white stigma with dark edge; immature has the thorax with bold pale yellow patches female: brown abdomen has a continuous pale yellow side stripe; pale eyes, pale yellow face and stigma with dark edge; wings often darkish at tips and leading edge similar species: Blue Dasher lacks white stigma; Bleached Skimmer has pale eyes and dark stigma habitat: alkaline ponds, springs, ditches California flight period: April - late October California distribution: all desert regions California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male immature male pair pair ovipositing images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website female female Scans male male male female by Dennis Paulson at his website	Bleached Skimmer Libellula composita size: medium, length 41 - 50 mm, wingspan 75 - 85 mm male: pruinose blue body becomes bleached/washed out and dirty in appearance; pale eyes; white face; pale areas thorax sides; wings have a dark patch at base and usually a small dark spot at nodus, dark veins, wide black stigma, pale costa (vein along leading edge of the wing) female: wings like male; abdomen has interrupted pale yellow stripes, pale eyes and face similar species: Comanche Skimmer has white stigma; Blue Dasher is smaller and lacks spots at nodus habitat: alkaline ponds, springs in the desert California flight period: early April - September California distribution: south-eastern CA, Modoc Co. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male images by Doug Aguillard at his website tandem ovipositing tandem ovipositing female female female female male-colored female Scans male male scans by Dennis Paulson at his website male male female scans by Dennis Paulson at his website female female male-colored female	Hoary Skimmer Libellula nodisticta size: medium/large, length 46 - 52 mm, wingspan 76 - 82 mm male: thorax and abdomen become pruinose blue-gray; thorax has 2 broken yellow stripes; yellow spots low on abdomen; wings have small dark area at base and nodus, basal dark wing area becomes surrounded by white, black stigma; no other white on wings female: dark gray/brown with row of yellow dashes along thorax and abdomen side; older females may become pruinose like male similar species: Bleached Skimmer has no white on wings; pale eyes and dark stigma habitat: springs; spring-fed streams California flight period: April - October California distribution: all foothills; sporadic, uncommon California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male male immature male immature male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website female female female female female Scans male female	Widow Skimmer Libellula luctuosa size: medium, length 40 - 50 mm, wingspan 76 - 80 mm male: inside half of wings blackish-brown, outer wings develop extensive white pruinosity; body becomes pale blue pruinose, color often rubbed off on mid-side of abdomen; range expanding female: brown with yellow side stripes; wings have large dark basal patch like male's, but don't develop white pruinosity and have dark tips habitat: ponds, lakes, pools of rivers & creeks, marshes California flight period: end of April - October California distribution: all but eastern Calif.; expanding its range within CA California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male male immature male immature male immature male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website female female female female female multiple ovipositing images ovipositing .avi movie (25mb) ovipositing .avi movie with mosquito fish eating eggs (19MB) Scans male female female	Common Whitetail Plathemis (formerly Libellula) lydia size: medium, length 40 - 48 mm, wingspan 65 - 75 mm male: mature has broad gleaming white pruinose abdomen with wings having a dark band for 1/3 width extending from just before the nodus towards tip, small black basal bar surrounded by a small white area; immature with abdomen like female's but with wing markings like a mature male - it then develops thin bluish white pruinosity; thorax top white only near wings; face dark female: 3 dark wing spots; wide brown body; yellow side dashes separated and angled; face dark similar species: compare male to Desert Whitetail which has much more white in the wing; compare female with female 12-spotted Skimmer, which has continuous yellow side stripe and pale face behavior: often perches on wood or rocks extending from the water, or near the water's edge habitat: marshes, streams California flight period: March - October California distribution: statewide California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male immature male juvenile male juvenile male image by Dennis Paulson at his website images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Tom Murray at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website female female female female Scans male top; side male male male immature male top; side female top; side	Desert Whitetail Plathemis (formerly Libellula) subornata size: medium length 39 - 50 mm, wingspan 65 - 75 mm male: pruinose white abdomen; wings have 2 narrow zigzag black bands, develops dark between bands, extensive white pruinosity interior half with basal black patches usually having a 'window' in it; segment 10 and appendages remain dark female: brown body; 2 pale, jagged thoracic stripes; row of straight (not angled) yellow side dashes on abdomen; each wing has dual zigzag bands, clear wing tips similar species: compare male to Common Whitetail which has much less white in the wing habitat: desert springs, ponds, lakes flight period: April - October California distribution: all deserts California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male female female female female images by Doug Aguillard at his website Scans male - AZ	Filigree Skimmer Pseudoleon superbus size: medium length 38 - 45 mm, wingspan 63 - 73 mm male: wings variably dark & lacy, sometimes almost all dark; brown body with pale chevrons ages to nearly all black; eyes are striped and when mature are nearly all black; perch low, often on rocks/debris, often in oblique posture female: lace pattern on wings more open; spout like ovipositor habitat: rocky, clear streams California flight period: February - September California distribution: RARE: but had an explosion in 2015!! TWO have emerged from a San Diego Pond!! California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male immature male images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Don Roberson at his Monterey website female female female female female female unusual female Scans immature male immature male scans by Dennis Paulson at his website female female female female exuvia exuvia	Twelve-spotted Skimmer Libellula pulchella archaic name - ten spot size: large, length 51 - 58 mm, wingspan 84 - 92 mm male: 3 dark spots each wing, including tip, 3 white spots develop between them with age, middle dark spot does not touch trailing wing edge; brown abdomen develops thin bluish-white pruinosity with maturity; 2 yellow stripes thorax sides, top remains brown female: brown abdomen with continuous straight yellow side stripe; wings have 3 dark spots, no white spots; pale face similar species: compare male with male Eight-spotted Skimmer which has clear wing-tips; 8-spot tends to perch more; compare female to female Common Whitetail which has yellow dashed & angled stripe along abdomen side and a dark face habitat: ponds, lakes, rivers California flight period: April - October California distribution: most areas California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male teneral male multiple images images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website multiple images at Orange County Odonata multiple images at Mark Chappell's website female female female female female Scans male male female exuvia	Eight-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis size: medium/large, length 49 - 51 mm, wingspan 77 - 80 mm male: wing tips clear, 2 dark spots each, outer spot forms 8 , extends leading to trailing edge, 3 white spots; 2 oval thorax side marks; abdomen and thorax top become blue pruinose female: brown body; straight yellow side stripe dashed but not angled; wings like male's, may develop white spots ; 2 yellow spots topr of face similar species: compare male with male Twelve-spotted Skimmer which has dark wing-tips; tends to stay on wing more; compare female with female Twelve-spotted Skimmer and female Common Whitetail which both have dark wing-tips and no white in the wings habitat: ponds, lakes, ditches California flight period: April - October California distribution: all but southern Calif. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male - WA immature male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website mature female mature female immature female Scans male - CA male - CA male - CA male - WV male - WV female - WV female - WV	Chalk-fronted Corporal Ladona (formerly Libellula) julia size: medium, length 38 - 45 mm, wingspan 61 - 70 mm male: thorax top has 2 chalky white stripes; first 4 abdominal segments become covered with chalky white pruinosity; rest of body, including head and eyes dark; wings clear - very small dark basal area female: orangish to dark brown with a black stripe down the top of the abdomen; can become pruinose like male habitat: slow mountain streams, mountain lakes California flight period: June - August California distribution: northern mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male teneral male images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Ray bruun at his Flickr website female female female female & exuvia exuvia Scans male male female exuvia exuvia	Four-spotted Skimmer Libellula quadrimaculata size: medium length 40 - 46 mm, wingspan 65 - 71 mm male: tapered triangular olive-brown to orange-brown abdomen with dark tip, yellow dashes low on sides; hairy thorax, sides have pale marks; wings with small dark spots at nodus, leading edges sometimes orange, dark area at hind wing base female: very similar to male habitat: bogs, marshes, lakes, streams in mountain areas; acidic waters California flight period: April - October California distribution: mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Family: EMERALDS - Corduliidae Field/photo key to Emeralds	Family: EMERALDS - Corduliidae archaic name: Green-eyed Skimmers 3 CA genera including Baskettails, Common and Striped Emeralds, totaling 5 species sizes: medium - with length of 42 - 55 mm males: often dark having brilliant metallic tones; some have bodies that are patterned; all have brilliant emerald green or teal green eyes with abdomens that are expanded at the midpoint - spindle shaped females: like the males except their bodies are more stout with a more even shape habitats: wooded ponds and streams, usually in the mountains behaviors: mass emergences early in season; perch by hanging; strong, fast and erratic flyers; sometimes difficult to find, scarce distribution: found in the central and northern parts of the state, often at high altitudes Baskettails - non-metallic colors; brown and yellow patterned; hairy thoraxes; found at lower elevations than others; often fly at waist height along trails and paths in sunlit areas; 2 CA species Common Emerald - dark with metallic green with divergent forked appendages; 1 CA species Striped Emeralds - dark with metallic green; high flyers; long appendages pointed inwards; 2 CA species nymph: hairy, dark colored
Photos male male male male male male immature male immature male immature male odd males images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Alan Wight at his website female female female exuvia Scans male male male female	Beaverpond Baskettail Epitheca canis size: medium, length 43 - 51 mm, wingspan 62 - 65 mm male: eyes teal-green, immature brown, contrast with dull brown flattened spindle shaped abdomen, yellow side spots; thorax hairy; clear wings. appendages bent down at end female: like male, body broader similar species: identical to RARE Spiny Baskettail in the field which has straight appendages behavior: often patrols along pathways at waist height in sunny patches, turning when it reaches a shady area; female unrolls her 'basket' of eggs in strings, attaching them to floating vegetation habitat: slow waters in lowland forests California flight period: March - July California distribution: central and northern Calif. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male young male emerging tenerals emerging female - OR Scans male - OR male - OR male by Dennis Paulson at his website female by Dennis Paulson at his website	Spiny Baskettail Epitheca spinigera size: medium, length 43 - 47 mm, wingspan 61 - 69 mm male: green eyes contrast with dull brown and yellow patterned body; abdomen flattened and enlarged mid-length; thorax hairy; clear wings; flies at waist height; appendages straight with tiny downward tooth midway on underside of upper appendage; all black behind the eyes nymph/exuvia have distinctive long spines on seg. 9 that extend beyond the abdomen tip: exuvia can be used as voucher for distribution female: like male, body broader similar species: almost identical to Beaverpond Baskettail which has bend appendages (see links above) usually appears somewhat darker than Beaverpond Baskettail habitat: slow waters in mountain forests California flight period: May - early July California distribution: RARE: Donner Lake in Lassen Co. & Blue Lake in Lassen Co. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male close-up immature male images by Doug Aguillard at his website female female female female female female Scans male male male male male pair female female, side view	American Emerald Cordulia shurtleffii sizes: medium length 42 - 50 mm, wingspan 62 - 66 mm male: beautiful emerald green eyes; dark hairy thorax with green metallic tones; abdomen enlarged mid-length with single thin white ring between segments 2 & 3; appendages splayed female: like male; body cylindrical, cerci 2 mm or less similar species: Mountain Emerald has 'pincher-shaped' appendages; Ringed Emerald has a white ring on each segment, female Mountain Emerald almost identical in the field; compare in-hand by cerci length behavior: mass emergences habitat: wooded ponds, bogs California flight period: April- September California distribution: northern mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male - OR male - in flight male - in flight images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website young female Scans male, top view male male male male male male male female, side view female, top view female, side view	Mountain Emerald Somatochlora semicircularis size: medium/large, length 48 - 55 mm, wingspan 64 - 70 mm male: beautiful emerald green eyes; dark hairy thorax, sides have two yellow markings within metallic green area; dark abdomen enlarged at mid-length, may show yellow spots on sides of segment 5-8; appendages point inwards, pincher-like female: similar to male; broader abdomen; cerci 3 mm or more similar species: American Emerald has appendages are splayed; Ringed Emerald has a white ring on each segment, female American Emerald almost identical in the field; compare in-hand by cerci length. habitat: ponds, sedge meadows with small streams California flight period: May - August California distribution: northern mountains) California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male - OR male's appendages - OR male's abdomen - OR male's face - OR teneral male male in flight images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website female in hand Scans male male male male male male exuvia female by Dennis Paulson at his website - WA	Ringed Emerald Somatochlora albicincta size: medium length 45 - 50 mm, wingspan 62 - 67 mm male: Similar to Mt. Emerald but has narrow incomplete white ring on each segment female: similar to male; broader, more cylindrical abdomen habitat: lakes ponds or streams with sparse emergent vegetation and forested margins California flight period: June - September California distribution: RARE: northern CA California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Family: DARNERS - Aeshnidae Field/Photo key to Darners	Family: DARNERS - Aeshnidae 4 CA genera, including 11 species: sizes: large, robust; fast; lengths: 56 - 111 mm males: large eyes, bodies brilliant blue and/or green with brown females: many color forms, most showing green and/or yellow instead of blue, with a background of brown and/or purple, others like male, ovipositor under tail base habitats: breed in lakes, creeks, rivers; feed over fields behaviors: usually seen in flight; patrol waterways but also often seen catching insects over fields; perch by hanging vertically; most solo oviposit into floating vegetation; some swarm; some migrate; blue coloration darkens when cool distribution: found throughout the state, at all altitudes Green Darners Anax - robust, large green eyes meet in center, forms a seam, thorax solid green, abdomen more solidly colored, wings mostly clear but may be yellow-tinged, some are migratory - 2 CA species Mosaic Darners, Aeshna* - large blue eyes meet in the center, form a seam, mosaic patterned abdomen, difficult to distinguish to species without catching them (in net or digitally) - 4 CA species: Research in 2003 split the genus Aeshna* Neotropical/Blue-eyed Darners, Rhionaeschna* - like Mosaic Darners, but having a small bump under the 1st segment - 3 CA species Riffle Darners Oplonaeschna - RARE - very similar to Mosaic darners; top of segment 10 has a fingerlike projection - 1 CA species nymph - long and slender, crawl about on underwater vegetation
Photos female Darner and exuvia The exuvia is the exoskeleton left behind when a darner nymph metamorphoses into a flier.	How to Identify Female Darners example: female Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor - non-male-like color form female Darners have only 2 appendages; each species has several color forms; use color of the line across face, presence (Rhionaeschna) or lack (Aeshna) of a small bump under first segment, the presence or lack of paired blue spots on abdomen underside, the presence and/or shape of thoracic top and side stripes, and the ovipositor length. Use of an identification key is often necessary.
Photos male side view male top view male side view male side view immature male appendages male in flight images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website images at Odonata of Orange County images by Mark Chappell at his website female, non-male like form male-colored female blue-green female young female pair in wheel Scans male male male male male male green colored female exuvia	Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor archaic name - common blue darner size: large, length 61 - 71 mm, wingspan 86 - 100 mm male: bright blue eyes and face; brown line across face; broad blue stripes on thorax sides and top are uniform in width; abdomen appears almost all blue when in flight, but is a mosaic of blue, black and copper; appendages forked, appear wrench shaped when seen from side; spots atop segment 10 are paler than others and widely separated; bump under 1st segment; 3 cells in hindwing anal triangle female: facial line pale brown; bump under first segment; see key. Also Blue-eyed females have a lot of blue on S1 while on California it is either entirely dark or with blue limited to a couple of spots; segment 2 of the abdomen has longitudinal and transverse lines that cross on the segment that are interrupted by a dark band habitat: ponds, lakes, slow streams California flight period: all year in the southern part of the state California distribution: common statewide California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male top view male side view male top view male side view male male male male appendages images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Don Roberson at his Monterey website female pair in cop female ovipositing @ Kathy Biggs' pond site Scans male male males male immature male pair male-colored female female emerging nymph exuvia	California Darner Rhionaeschna californica size: large, length 56 - 60 mm, wingspan 75 - 83 mm male: small for family; sky blue eyes and spots, immature grayer; face pale blue with black line; thorax has thin pale blue side stripes which curve slightly backwards, usually no stripe on top; appendages simple, without spine; spots atop segment 10 closer together than on 9; bump under 1st segment; 3 cells in hindwing anal triangle female: facial line black; bump under first segment; see key; on S1, California Darner females are either entirely dark or with blue limited to a couple of spots. segment 2 of the abdomen has longitudinal and transverse lines that cross on the segment that are pale. habitat: ponds, lakes, slow streams California flight period: February - August; most often seen early in the season California distribution: most areas California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male & female - TX Scans male - TX female - TX	Turquoise-tipped Darner Rhionaeschna psilus size: large, length 58 - 60 mm, wingspan 74 - 84 mm male: small and dark for a darner; bluish eyes (brown when immature) and blue face with only a faint colored line across; long, wide green or blue stripes on sides and top of thorax are wavy and uneven; anal hind wing triangle - 3 cells; spots on abdomen small and green colored except for blue on segment 2 & usually 10; pale blue color on underside of segments 9 & 10 is diagnostic; bump under 1st segment; appendages simple, without a true spine female: thorax similarly marking to male; bump under first segment; spots on abdomen small and green colored; long appendages habitat: elsewhere ponds, ditches and sluggish streams California flight period: found once in September California distribution: RARE: Orange Co.; report and document all encounters California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male top view male male side view images by Dave Biggs male flying male flying male flying male flying appendages images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr site images by Doug Aguillard at his website photo by Tom Murray at his website female female female ovipositing pair in wheel Scans male male male male female female	Paddle-tailed Darner Aeshna palmata size: very large, length 63 - 75 mm, wingspan 82 - 99 mm male: face, top and side thoracic stripes greenish; black line across face; clear wings; blue spots on top of 9th and 10th abdominal segments usually fused; many small spots; underside of abdomen dark; 3 cells in HW anal triangle; flared paddle-shaped appendages with small spine Comparison shot between male Paddle-tailed and Shadow Darners female: facial line black; no bump under first segment; terminal appendages widest at central point; styli of ovipositor extend beyond the last segment; see key habitat: ponds, lakes, small streams California flight period: May - November California distribution: all forested areas in mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male 2 males male male top view male side view male male male appendages images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website female female female female female female ovipositing Scans male male male male male female, green form female, blue form female female female - OR	Variable Darner Aeshna interrupta size: very large, length 62 - 77 mm, wingspan 89 - 102 mm male: dark; thorax side stripes interrupted or very narrow; top stripes very narrow or missing; dark blue eyes; face pale greenish yellow with black line; abdominal spots sky-blue, very small spots on segment 10 more widely separated than on 9, no spots underside; HW anal triangle has 2 cells; appendages lack spine female: facial line black; no bump under first segment; see key habitat: mountain lakes, ponds, bogs California flight period: May - October California distribution: mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male top view male side view male top view male side view male side view male side view male close-up appendages images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Don Roberson at his Monterey website mulitple female images mulitple female images female female ovipositing Scans male male male male male male female	Walker's Darner Aeshna walkeri size: very large, length 65 - 77 mm, wingspan 86 - 100 mm male: face and thoracic stripes nearly white; clear wings, black veins and stigma; abdomen spots large, fewer small spots than other Aeshna; no (or VERY tiny) spots atop segment 10, those on segment 9 fused; no blue spots underside; flared paddle-shaped appendages with small spine; 3 cells HW anal triangle; female: thin, dark facial line; no bump; jet black stigma; pale spots s9 widely separated, tiny spots s10 habitat: mostly creeks and streams California flight period: May - November; mostly flies late in season California distribution: along moving water California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male in flight male side view male side view immature male appendages multiple views images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website female multipile views female Scans male top view male side view male multiple views male male top & side views male underside male face male back of head	Shadow Darner Aeshna umbrosa size: very large, length 66 - 78 mm, wingspan 86 - 100 mm male: sometimes appears darker, showing less blue than other Mosaic Darners or as blue as most; frontal thoracic stripe green; straight side stripes are green to blue, with a rearward extenstion at the top; paired pale blue spots underside of abdomen; no blue spots top of segment 10; appendages paddle-shaped with small spine; 3 cells in hw anal triangle Comparison shot between male Shadow and Paddle-tailed Darners female: chocolate brown; no bump; pale spots underside habitat: often flies in the shade California flight period: July - late November; flies late in the season (once found in CA in Feb!) California distribution: central and northern Calif. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male underside appendages appendages male, in hand - WA Scans male male female teneral female - CA female - BC	Canada Darner Aeshna canadensis size: large, length 64 - 73 mm, wingspan 86 - 99 mm male: thorax side stripes relatively broad; front stripe deeply indented upper half, green, yellow &/or blue; lt. brown facial line; underside of abdomen has paired pale spots; top of last segment has pale spots; anal triangle hind wing - 2 cells; appendages paddle-shaped female: facial line light brown; no bump under segment 1; paired spots underside of abdomen habitat: ponds, lakes, especially beaver ponds California flight period: July - October California distribution: RARE: northern mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male side view - AZ male side view - AZ appendages - AZ images at AZ Odes - AZ images by Martin Reid - AZ female ovipositing - AZ Scans female	Riffle Darner Oplonaeschna armata size: very large, length 66 - 75 mm, wingspan 92 - 110 mm male: very similar to Mosaic darners; deep blue eyes; strongly indented side thoracic stripes blue above, yellow below; abdomen spots a bit smaller than on Mosaic darners; appendages paddle-shaped with spine & a toothed projection near tip; top of segment 10 has a fingerlike projection female: short; yellow, blue &/or green spots; no bump habitat: rocky streams in oak & pine woodlands California flight period: June California distribution: RARE: found once Inyo Co. no California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Bob Miller at his website images by Don Roberson at his Monterey website images at Odonata of Orange County images by Mark Chappell at his website male eating a flame skimmer immature male female female female female female emerging pairs ovipositing female solo ovipositing nymph exuvia Scans male immature male side immature male top female female female & male nymph exuvia exuvia Common vs Giant exuvia	Common Green Darner Anax junius size: very large, 63 - 84 mm, wingspan 92 - 103 mm male: more solidly colored than Mosaic Darners; green eyes and yellow-green face; 'bullseye shaped mark top of face; solid green thorax; electric blue abdomen with wide dark stripe on top; wings can be clear or show yellowish tinge female: most are purplish brown with green; rarer form colored like male (however s2 isn't all green); eyes remain brown with back border yellow; wings often yellowish tinged behavior: abdomen carried straight in flight; swarm; migrate habitat: fields and waterways California flight period: all months in the south, migratory California distribution: common statewide California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male top view male side view male top view male close-up male top view male side view male side view male male male face male underside male male male in flight male in flight male in flight male in flight multiple photos images by Doug Aguillard at his website image by Dennis Paulson at his website pair in wheel female female solo ovipositing female ovipositing females ovipositing female ovipositing female ovipositing Scans male male female exuvia Common vs Giant exuvia	Giant Darner Anax walsinghami archaic name - walsingham's darner size: huge, male 99 - 111 mm, wingspan 115 - 135 mm male: largest dragonfly in North America; coloring like Common Green Darner but very long thin blue and dark patterned abdomen; solid green thorax; eyes blue on top, yellow rimmed female: like male; smaller but still very long narrow abdomen, 88 - 99 mm, wingspan 112 -122 mm; less blue behavior: abdomen carried arched in flight similar species: Common Green Darner caries abdomen straingt in flight; eyes green habitat: canyon and spring-fed streams, marshes, lakes in arid areas California flight period: April - October California distribution: sporadic in arid areas California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Family: CLUBTAILS - Gomphidae Field/Photo key to clubtails An interesting exuviae pileup!	Family: CLUBTAILS - Gomphidae 6 CA genera totaling 12 species including the Ringtails, Snaketails, Hanging Clubtails, and others sizes: large, lengths: 41 - 83 mm males: most have an enlarged area at end of abdomen; black, brown, green and/or yellow patterned; clear wings with wide stigmas; small eyes widely separated; sprawling legs; well camouflaged, snakelike patterning, no blue or red coloring females: often yellow where male green; bodies cylindrical habitats: rivers, streams behaviors: males perch on ground/rocks at beach in sunlit areas;females more often found out on vegetation distribution: statewide Common Clubtails Phanogomphus [was Gomphus until 2017] - some occur at ponds and lakes - 1 CA species Hanging Clubtails Stylurus - narrow pale triangles down top of black/brown abdomen; hang perch; most in arid lands - 3 CA species Grappletail Octogomphus - abdomen thin & less patterned than others - 1 CA species Ringtails Erpetogomphus - ringed appearance to abdomen; short legs - 2 CA species Sanddragons Progomphus - narrow clubbed abdomen; short legs - 1 CA species Snaketails Ophiogomphus - very similar with snakelike patterning; most in arid lands - 4 CA species nymph usually have a life cycle of 2+ years; hide under gravel/sand in riverbeds
Photos male male male male young male young male young male immature male multiple images unusual male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website female female female female female Scans mature male male - OR male - OR female female	Grappletail Octogomphus specularis size: large, length 49 - 53 mm, wingspan 60 - 72 mm male: face yellow, eyes dark green-gray; thorax top had a large bold gray- green/yellow urn shaped mark; very thin almost all black abdomen showing less yellow than any other CA clubtail; black legs and stigma; appendages multi-pronged, mostly yellow, grapple-like female: thin yellow line top of cylindrical abdomen habitat: rivers with riffles in wooded hillsides California flight period: March - October, mostly seen in the Spring California distribution: all but eastern Calif. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male male male male male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Bob Miller at his website images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Don Roberson at his Monterey website female female female female pair in wheel Scans male male male male female female female pair exuvia - OR	White-belted Ringtail Erpetogomphus compositus size: medium/large, length 46 - 55 mm, wingspan 61 - 70 mm male: thorax intricately marked green, yellow, black with the middle side stripe being the "white belt"; conspicuous pale rings on thin dark abdomen, pale diamonds less noticeable; dark yellow club looks as if dipped in golden paint; pale blue eyes; face pale; yellow costa; looks like composite of several other species female: no club; white belt habitat: streams, rivers California flight period: March - October California distribution: all but far northern Calif. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male female female female images by Doug Aguillard at his website image by Dennis Paulson at his website Scans male female	Serpent Ringtail Erpetogomphus lampropeltis note: a sifferent subspecies occurs east of California which is more green. size: medium/large, length 41 - 56 mm, wingspan 62 - 72 mm male: dark abdomen with thin pale rings, clubbed-tail dark on top, yellow below, pale yellow appendages; thorax has gray stripes on the top and sides, side stripe interrupted, no white stripe; blue eyes. female: like male; no club habitat: streams, rivers California flight period: May - October California distribution: southern Calif; uncommon California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male male male male male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Don Roberson at his Monterey website images by Mark Chappell at his website female female female female female pair in cop male's hold on female's eyes Scans male female	Gray Sanddragon Progomphus borealis size: large, length 56 - 61 mm, wingspan 68 - 72 mm male: yellow face, gray eyes; thorax sides have large gray patches; dull pale yellow triangles top of very thin black abdomen; costa yellow; upper appendages yellow, lowers dark female: more gray/green; more cylindrical abdomen, no club behavior: perch on sandy shoreline or rocks with arched abdomen when habitat: sandy rivers, lakes California flight period: late March - October California distribution: widespread California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male male in flight images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website female female female female teneral female exuvia Scans male by Dennis Paulson at his website female by Dennis Paulson at his website	Olive Clubtail Stylurus olivaceus size: large, length 56 - 60 mm, wingspan 74 - 78 mm male: thorax sides tawny gray/olive green with wavy dark shoulder stripes, top has tawny treelike mark on black; abdomen segments dark with thin tawny markings broadly outlined in black; underside of large club is pale yellow with the top mostly black; appendages black; wings with yellow costa, black veins female: like male; body long, clubless behavior: hang perches, males often on twigs along steep muddy river bank; female on close-by vegetation habitat: warm, muddy rivers or ponds California flight period: May - September California distribution: many areas, but uncommon California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Bob Miller at his website female female female female female Scans male male female female	Russet-tipped Clubtail Stylurus plagiatus size: large, length 53 - 66 mm, wingspan 74 - 83 mm note: Russet-tipped Clubtails look quite different East of California males: green thorax and upper legs; 3 dark stripes thorax side; thorax top dark with pale harp shaped mark; elongated triangles atop abdomen with a ring atop each which is incomplete; blue eyes; abdominal segments 7 - 10 have yellow bands on sides; abdominal segments 8 & 9 clubbed yellow & brown or black, segment 10 all dark; appendages dark and flared when seen from above females: is similar to male; dark atop 9 & 10 similar species: White-belted and Serpent Ringtails have yellow appendages habitat: deep sandy streams, rivers and irrigation ditches in arid regions California flight period: June - October California distribution: RARE: south eastern Calif. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male male male male - AZ images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Bob Miller at his website female female female female pair female - AZ Scans male female	Brimstone Clubtail Stylurus intricatus size: medium/large, length 41 - 55 mm, wingspan 55 - 64 mm male: very pale; yellow rings & triangular spots with dark background along abdomen, rings around segments 3-7 only, yellow club has splayed yellow appendages edged with black; yellow head; upper legs yellow; hang-perches on wood, vegetation, not rocks along shoreline female: similar to male but clubless habitat: open desert streams/rivers California flight period: June - October California distribution: RARE: southeastern Calif. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male male male male male male male immature male images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website image by Dennis Paulson at his website images by Don Roberson at his Monterey website female female female female female pair in wheel Scans male male male male female exuvia	Pacific Clubtail Phanogomphus [was Gomphus until 2017] *kurilis* size: medium, 48-53 mm, wingspan 60 - 70 mm male: thorax sides have a gray-green pistol-shaped mark (yellow in immatures); 2 broad green stripes top of thorax come to a curved point near abdomen; thin yellow/green triangular marks atop abdomen, large yellow marks undersides of expanded 8th and 9th segments, top of segment 10 (and often 9) are DARK; legs and appendages DARK; green face with blue eyes when mature female: less clubbed, more cylindrical and stout; yellow where male is green similar species: Bison Snaketail not found on ponds and is yellow atop segment 10 and has top of appendages yellow behavior: perch on rocks in water at pond side habitat: only CA Clubtail found at lakes and ponds; also sluggish streams in valleys; a subspecies occurs at clear mountain lakes; California flight period: March - August (however mostly a Spring/early Summer species) California distribution: CA endemic; central and northern areas California distribution map Southwestern distribution map In Oregon there is the similar Columbia Clubtail Gomphurus [was Gomphus until 2017] *lynnae* It develops a thin pruinosity over its thorax.
Photos male male male male male male male male male male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website image by Dennis Paulson at his website images by Don Roberson at his Monterey website female female female Scans male - top male - side female female	Bison Snaketail Ophiogomphus bison size: medium, length 50 - 51 mm, wingspan 60 - 71 mm male: thorax bright green with single wide straight dark shoulder stripe (can show very thin green line in middle); yellow-green face; black legs; gray-blue eyes; abdomen black with yellow triangles, including atop segments 9 and 10; appendages yellow on top female: body more cylindrical, less clubbed; small (bison-like) horns above eyes (male lacks these 'horns') similar species: Pacific Clubtail is usually found on ponds and is black atop segment 10 and has black appendages; three other very similar Snaketails occur in California; compare by shoulder stripe width and shape and of appendages behavior: forages from the shoreline habitat: lowland trout streams California flight period: April - October, mostly seen in the Spring/early summer California distribution: northern and central Calif. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male males images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website female female female female - WA Scans male male female female	Sinuous Snaketail Ophiogomphus occidentis size: medium/large, length 47 - 51 mm, wingspan 58 - 67 mm male: yellow-green face with blue-gray eyes; sides of thorax dull olive green with double, dark wavy (sinuous) lines; yellow triangles along abdomen top; club yellow under segments 8-10 female: body more cylindrical; less clubbed similar species: four very similar Snaketails occur in California; compare by shoulder stripe width and shape and by appendages habitat: mountain rivers; lakes California flight period: March - August California distribution: central and northern Calif. California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male pair in cop images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website female female female female female - OR Scans male male male male male male male - OR male - OR male scans by Dennis Paulson at his website female - OR	Great Basin Snaketail Ophiogomphus morrisoni size: medium, length 50 - 52 mm, wingspan 60 - 65 mm male: golden green thorax; pale shoulder stripe curved (but not wavy), connected to top pale stripe which is wide and flares near the head, looking somewhat like a pollywog; abdomen has yellow triangles along the top and yellow under clubbed segments; blue eyes; stout yellow appendages, the lowers are the longest female: body more cylindrical, less clubbed, stout similar species: four very similar Snaketails occur in California; compare by shoulder stripe width and shape and by appendages habitat: streams in arid lands California flight period: May - early September California distribution: eastern mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male - ID male male male - CO male - CO images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website Scans male male male female female	Pale Snaketail Ophiogomphus severus size: medium, length 48 - 55 mm, wingspan 67 - 72 mm male: very pale coloration; green thorax, black shoulder stripe often completely missing; variable oval spots sides of thorax top; identify by location and appendages, the lower appendages are 75% the length of the uppers female: body less clubbed; stout habitat: pools of rocky mountain streams California flight period: May - August California distribution: Modoc County California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
MIXED FAMILIES: Black and Yellow coloration Field/photo key to black & yellow mixed families dragonflies	MIXED FAMILIES - Black and Yellow coloration 3 CA families, each with one species, totaling 3 species: sizes: large; lengths: 54 - 85 mm males: members of these families & genera have dark background color with yellow markings on the thorax and abdomen; compare by markings, eye shape and color, and by appendage shapes females: marked like the males but bodies more stout habitats: life cycle of 2+ years in rivers, streams, seeps behaviors: Petaltail flight weak, others very strong fliers distribution: Petaltails in north; others almost statewide Petaltail Petaluridae - dark eyes do not touch; spots (not stripes) on thorax & abdomen; long stigma; petal-like appendages; nymph semi terrestrial, burrows in seeps - 1 CA species (uncommon) Cruisers Macromiidae - gray eyes just touch each other; single yellow stripe thorax side; long legs; body arched in powerful flight - 1 CA species Spiketails Cordulegasteridae - teardrop shaped blue eyes barely touch each other; thorax - two wide yellow stripes top and each side - 1 CA species (2 races)
Photos male male male male male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Alan Wight at his website female female female female, eating an American Emerald! live nymph in burrow nymph photos and info exuvia Scans male male male male male male male male female nymph exuviae	Black Petaltail Tanypteryx hageni size: large, length 54 - 61 mm, wingspan 70 - 76 male: dark eyes do not touch; black thorax has spots (not stripes) ; black abdomen with variable yellow marks atop segments 2-7; flared, petal-like, appendages; long stigma; female: similar to male but body broader and often showing more yellow habitat: seeps; often associated with serpentine soils and the carnivorous Pitcher Plants (Darlingtonia) behavior: weak flier; perch by 'clinging;' known to perch on people! nymph are semi terrestrial building burrows in seeps California flight period: May - August, mostly seen early in the season California distribution: northern hills and mountains (rare) California distribution map Southwestern distribution map
Photos male male male male immature male photo by Tom Murray at his website images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Doug Aguillard at his website images by Don Roberson at his Monterey website pair in wheel female female female female female female female female ovipositing female ovipositing female ovipositing female ovipositing female ovipositing (26s movie) Scans male male male female exuvia Desert Race male C. d. deserticola* male male C. d. deserticola* male male C. d. deserticola* male (in town of Bishop) male by Dennis Paulson at his website C. d. deserticola* Scans *male, desert race	Pacific Spiketail Cordulegaster dorsalis dorsalis archaic name - yellow-backed biddie size: very large, length 70 - 85 mm, wingspan 88 - 105 male: pale face; beautiful tear-drop shaped blue eyes barely touch; dark thorax with two wide yellow stripes on the top and on the sides; abdomen dark with yellow spots on segments 2- 9 female: like male with thicker body; long spike like ovipositor; dark wing tips behavior: powerful flyer; both sexes hang-perch; females oviposit into mud at streamsides in a sewing machine-like vertical up and down movement (often in shady area) habitat: hillside small wooded streams California flight period: May - November California distribution: all foothills, eastern mountains California distribution map Southwestern distribution map Desert Race* * C. d. deserticola (desert race) shows more yellow - thin yellow lines between spots comparitive scans California flight period: June 21 - August 27 California distribution: eastern - Owens Valley area C. d. deserticola (desert race) Eastern CA, NV, *UT?
Photos male male male male male male male images by Ray Bruun at his Flickr website images by Don Roberson at his Monterey website female female female pair in cop Scans male male male male female female	Western River Cruiser Macromia magnifica size: very large, length 68 - 74 mm, wingspan 88 - 100 male: pale face; pearly gray eyes touch each other; dark thorax has single yellow side stripe and only a half-length stripe on top; slightly clubbed abdomen has squared yellow spots on top, the spot on segment 8 is the largest; very long legs; flies with the abdomen in a slight arch female: like male, not clubbed nymph: sprawlers; 'spider-like' exuvia: often found under bridge supports habitat: lowlands streams and rivers behavior: both sexes hang-perch; pretend to 'sting' you when held in-hand; males fly beat along river edges a foot or two off the water surface California flight period: April - September California distribution: all but the southern part of the state California distribution map Southwestern distribution map

I'm glad you enjoy the dragonflies too! THANK-YOU for visiting!!

This website is totally privately funded. If you've found it helpful and can help support it, please make a donation!

Kathy Biggs, Azalea Creek Publishing
Kathy Biggs
Back to California Dragonflies front page
Go to the California Damselflies page

Family: SKIMMERS - Libellulidae

Family: SKIMMERS - Libellulidae

Family: EMERALDS - Corduliidae

Family: EMERALDS - Corduliidae

Family: DARNERS - Aeshnidae

Family: DARNERS - Aeshnidae

Family: CLUBTAILS - Gomphidae

Family: CLUBTAILS - Gomphidae

MIXED FAMILIES:Black and Yellow coloration

MIXED FAMILIES - Black and Yellow coloration

Family: SKIMMERS - Libellulidae

Family: SKIMMERS - Libellulidae

Family: EMERALDS - Corduliidae

Family: EMERALDS - Corduliidae

Family: DARNERS - Aeshnidae

Family: DARNERS - Aeshnidae

Family: CLUBTAILS - Gomphidae

Family: CLUBTAILS - Gomphidae

MIXED FAMILIES:Black and Yellow coloration

MIXED FAMILIES - Black and Yellow coloration

MIXED FAMILIES:
Black and Yellow coloration

MIXED FAMILIES:
Black and Yellow coloration