🌿Native Nature

Common Whitetail

Plathemis lydia

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia ›Phylum: Arthropoda ›Class: Insecta ›Order: Odonata ›Family: Libellulidae ›Genus: Plathemis

About

The common whitetail or long-tailed skimmer (Plathemis lydia) is a common dragonfly across much of North America, with a striking and unusual appearance. The male's chunky white body (about 5 cm or 2 inches long), combined with the brownish-black bands on its otherwise translucent wings, give it a checkered look. Females have a brown body and a different pattern of wing spots, closely resembling that of female Libellula pulchella, the twelve-spotted skimmer. Whitetail females can be distinguished...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of Common Whitetail?
The scientific name of Common Whitetail is Plathemis lydia.
What kingdom does Common Whitetail belong to?
Common Whitetail belongs to the kingdom Animalia.
What phylum does Common Whitetail belong to?
Common Whitetail belongs to the phylum Arthropoda.
What class does Common Whitetail belong to?
Common Whitetail belongs to the class Insecta.
What order does Common Whitetail belong to?
Common Whitetail belongs to the order Odonata.
What family does Common Whitetail belong to?
Common Whitetail belongs to the family Libellulidae.
What genus does Common Whitetail belong to?
Common Whitetail belongs to the genus Plathemis.