Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)

Statewide and common in NC, this dragonfly was formerly placed in the genus Libellula. This is one of the most commonly observed dragonflies perching on wide trails/roads when one is out hiking.
Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)
Orange Co., NC
2 Aug 2005

Males are easily identified by the white "tails" and wide dark bars in the middle of the wings.

Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)
Orange Co., NC
2 Aug 2005

Common Whitetails will perch vertically from twigs or horizontally on the ground, logs, leaves, etc.


Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia), immature male
Orange Co., NC
15 May 2008
Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia), immature male
Orange Co., NC
15 May 2008
Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia), mature male
Orange Co., NC
15 May 2008

Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia), female
Blackwood Divison Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
1 June 2009

Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia), female
Brumley Nature Preserve, Orange Co., NC
18 Apr 2023

Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia), female
Durham Division Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC
17 Apr 2022

Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)
Immature male pattern
Tyrrell Co., NC
21 June 2003
Immature male pattern
Orange Co., NC
4 Apr 2007

Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)
St. Clair Co., MI
7 July 2012


Back to Jeff's Odes Page | Back to Jeff's Nature Page

Created on ... July 13, 2003 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com