The Dot-tailed Whiteface is a small dark, aptly named, skimmer. Mature males are mostly black, with a white face and a yellow top spot on segment seven. Females and immature are generally lighter and have a series of yellow top spots that extend to segment seven and some yellow on the side of the abdomen
The Dot-tailed Whiteface is the most common Whiteface found throughout most of the southern two thirds of Minnesota. In Northern Minnesota, particularly the northeast, where other Whitefaces are more common, the Dot-tailed whiteface is an uncommon sight
Lakes, ponds and slow streams with emergent vegetation
Pairs are often seen flying in "wheel" looking for a location in trees, bushes, or tall grasses to mate. Females typically lay eggs alone and unguarded, by dipping their abdomen into the water usually over submerged vegetation or in algae mats
Click on the icons above for this species' range maps
Click here for county and state checklists from Odonata Central.
Range maps and checklists courtesy of Odonata Central. Copyright © 2016 OdonataCentral. All Rights Reserved. Abbott, J.C. 2006-2018. OdonataCentral: An online resource for the distribution and identification of Odonata. Available at www.odonatacentral.org.