The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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North Carolina's 189 Odonate species
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Related Species in LIBELLULIDAE: Number of records for 2023 = 97

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
[View PDF]		Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) by John Petranka
Compare with:   Distinctive
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.

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Map
Click on county for list of all its records for Common Whitetail
Flight Charts
Distribution Statewide, occurring in all 100 counties.
Abundance Very common to abundant across the state, not seeming to vary considerably in numbers from one province to another. Though seldom occurring large swarms -- the highest one-day count is "just" 80 individuals -- it is among the most widespread species in terms of habitats from wet to dry, wooded to open.
Flight Nearly the entire odonate flight season, from late March to late October, sparingly into November.
Habitat Ponds, lakes, swamps, seeps, pools, and other open water. Probably uses smaller, temporary pools and ditches more than most other dragonflies.
Behavior Adults commonly perch flat on the ground, especially on mud or other damp ground, such as pond shores, muddy spots in powerline clearings, and so forth. They also perch more often on concrete, wood, and other man-made structures than do most other dragonflies. They do perch on twigs and vegetation, but not as frequently as do most other skimmers. They forage well away from water, in fields, woodland borders, powerline clearings, as well as at pond margins, etc.; they often come into urban habitats such as gardens and yards.
Comments This may be the most conspicuous or obvious dragonfly in NC, especially to the layman; they are impossible to miss or overlook when present, as they perch on the ground where observers frequently walk. In fact, one quickly tires of them, despite their attractiveness. Though females could be confused with the scarce Twelve-spotted Skimmer, in general this a very easily identified dragonfly.
State Rank S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym Libellula lydia
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-17 09:48:34
Photo Gallery for Common Whitetail   61 photos are available.
Only the most recent 30 are shown.
Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Alexander, 2023-05-11, Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area		Photo 2 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Caldwell, 2023-05-10, Wilson Creek, about 1.5 km downstream from Mortimer
Photo 3 by: Guy McGrane

Comment: Watauga, 2022-08-09, Boone Greenway-Angel Stair wetland		Photo 4 by: Kevin Metcalf

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2022-07-14, Clarks Creek Nature Preserve on Hucks Road, Charlotte. Pond
Photo 5 by: John Petranka

Comment: Orange, 2022-04-15, NHCBS, Hollow Rock Nature Park, West of Pickett Road, Meadow		Photo 6 by: John Petranka

Comment: Durham, 2021-08-22, NHCBS, New Hope Creek Bottomlands, Powerline
Photo 7 by: John Petranka

Comment: Sampson, 2021-07-13, Pondberry Bay Preserve.		Photo 8 by: Lynn Swafford

Comment: Pitt, 2021-05-24, Male: Pond in Farmville, NC near disk golf course
Photo 9 by: John Petranka

Comment: Alamance, 2021-05-21, Sunny patches on upland trails near the Haw River at Shallow Ford Natural Area. - Photo is of female.		Photo 10 by: Lora Cline Loftin

Comment: McDowell; P, 2020-07-14, Marion
Photo 11 by: Kyle Kittelberger

Comment: Wake, 2020-07-12, near Falls Lake - attracted to MV light at night		Photo 12 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Cumberland, 2020-05-18, retention pond @ 35.0858, -78.9181
Photo 13 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-04-20, Hot Springs area - first of the year		Photo 14 by: Jan Hansen

Comment: Orange, 2020-04-04, Power line cut parallel to Morgan Creek near Mason Farm
Photo 15 by: John Petranka

Comment: Yancey, 2019-05-22, Black Mountain Campground. - Female. Along South Toe River Lower Loop Trail.		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Cumberland, 2018-07-13, Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Fayetteville
Photo 17 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Davie, 2018-07-03, S. Yadkin River @ Concord Church boating access		Photo 18 by: Chuck Smith

Comment: Davidson, 2018-06-28, Residence off of Jerusalem Road. - Male, immature coloration.
Photo 19 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Craven, 2018-06-16, Swift Creek; 7 km section between Cool Springs Boating Access Area and NC 43 bridge, by kayak		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Chowan, 2018-06-09, Edenton National Fish Hatchery
Photo 21 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Edgecombe, 2018-05-25, Etheridge Pond, Tar River Game Land		Photo 22 by: Mark Shields and Hunter Phillips

Comment: Rockingham, 2018-05-13, Mayo River State Park (MARI) - Mayo Mountain Access - around ponds near park office
Photo 23 by: Guy McGrane

Comment: Watauga, 2018-05-01, Appears to be the earliest report for the county - Ben Miller Road		Photo 24 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Lenoir, 2018-05-01, Neuseway Nature Park, Kinston
Photo 25 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Wayne, 2018-05-01, Waynesborough Park, Goldsboro - female		Photo 26 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Washington, 2018-04-28, Pettigrew State Park (PETT)
Photo 27 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Tyrrell, 2018-04-28, Pettigrew State Park (PETT)		Photo 28 by: Guy McGrane

Comment: Wilkes; P, 2017-09-13, Marley Ford WMA duck pond
Photo 29 by: Guy McGrane

Comment: Wilkes; P, 2017-09-13, Marley Ford WMA duck pond		Photo 30 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Bladen, 2017-07-30, Cape Fear River at Lock and Dam #1