Dragonfly: Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)

The Common Whitetail is one of the more frequent and numerous dragonflies around the house and the field at the moment.

Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) [male]

Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) [male]

Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) [female]

They have several favorite spots to congregate. One area by the greenhouse is covered with dark synthetic ‘cloth’ used to prevent overgrowth by weeds. The second spot they particularly like is on the gravel drive halfway from the house to the road. In the late afternoon they often congregate at the edge of the woods on a fallen pine tree whose trunk and needles have absorbed heat during the day.

Identification resources:
- Dragonflies of Georgia: Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)
- Bug Guide: Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) [Female]
- Bug Guide: Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) [Male]
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