THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION

Aquatic Invertebrates in Pacific Northwest Freshwater Wetlands
An Identification Guide and Educational Resource

There is only one species in the family Cordulegastridae in the Pacific Northwest, the Pacific Spiketail (Cordulegaster dorsalis). The Pacific Spiketail commonly inhabits streams, so it is not likely to be found in a wetland. It is classified as a burrower, but it is not a burrower in the purest sense of the word. The dragonfly will cover itself with silt only up to its eyeballs, then sit poised for prey to pass by.

As is typical of dragonfly larvae, their body is thick with five relatively short points (no plates) at the end of the abdomen. Their labium is scoop shaped and covers much of the front of the head when at rest. The "pincers" or lobes of the labium have a margin of large, uneven teeth. The front of the head does not have a small horn or nose.

Size: xlarge
Identifying feature(s): large uneven teeth on margin of scoop-shaped labium; no horn on front of head
Habitat: in the benthos of small streams
Tolerance to pollutants: moderate