Field Marks

• Average adult size is approximately from 1.3 to 1.4 inches
• White face
• Dark brown eyes
• Red and black patterned thorax which gets darker with age. Immature males have yellow and black thorax
• Black legs
• Abdominal segments 1 and 2 are red and black, segments 3 through 10 are black
• Pruinose develops at base of the abdomen with maturity, turns part of the abdomen, up to segment 6, white
• Black terminal appendages
• Cerci not much longer than epiproct

Field Marks

• White face with reddish brown eyes
• Yellow and black thorax
• Abdomen yellow and back at base, with segments 4 to 10 black, yellow top spots on segments 4 to 7 and small yellow side spot on segment 4
• Subgenital plates have 2 short, rounded knobs
• Also comes in a red and black version

Behavior

Belted Whiteface males typically perch low on twigs, leaves or grasses near the water and defend a small territory. Females are not usually found near the water until they are ready to mate.

Habitat

Boggy lakes and ponds, marshes

Reproduction

Pairs fly away from the water, in wheel formation, into tall grasses, bushes, or trees to mate. Females lay eggs alone, typically unguarded, by dipping their abdomen into the water