Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)

The Common Whitetail is a common dragonfly across much of North America, with a striking and unusual appearance. The male's chunky white body, 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.