Wing-morphometrics
Guides
Plathemis lydia
Common Whitetail, Long-tailed Skimmer
Plathemis lydia, commonly known as the Common Whitetail or Long-tailed Skimmer, is a widespread dragonfly species across North America. The species exhibits striking sexual dimorphism: males possess a conspicuous white abdomen and brownish-black wing bands, while females have a brown body with different wing spot patterns. Research has documented significant wing morphometric differences between sexes, with males showing adaptations for faster flight and higher acceleration capacity, likely related to territorial behavior and predator evasion. The species inhabits a variety of freshwater habitats and is among the most frequently observed dragonflies in North America with over 110,000 iNaturalist records.