Brown Spiketail
Zoraena bilineata
This record describes Zoraena bilineata (species). Recorded family: Cordulegastridae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Green eyes that nearly touch. Brown thorax and abdomen. Yellow triangles (bluntly pointed) on the abdomen. Two lateral thoracic stripes, in yellow, that are equal in width. Very similar to Delta-Spotted Spiketail, and some experts believe the Brown Spiketail is a subspecies of the Delta-Spotted.
Wikipedia reference for Zoraena bilineata: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoraena_bilineata.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
- Suborder
- Anisoptera
- Family
- Cordulegastridae (Spiketails)
- Genus
- Zoraena (North American Spiketails)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Eastern United States, from Michigan south to Arkansas and Mississippi. Not present in New York or New England.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Flying insects.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Zoraena bilineata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Odonata includes ~6,000 described species of dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects, reaching 36 mph (58 km/h). They can fly in any direction including backward, and hover in place - each wing operates independently.
Ecological role of the group
Dragonflies predate dinosaurs by nearly 100 million years - fossils date to 325 million years ago. The largest dragonfly ancestor, Meganeuropsis permiana (285 mya), had a 75cm wingspan, enabled by atmospheric oxygen levels of 31-35% compared to today's 21%. Dragonflies have a 95% hunting success rate - the highest of any predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Dragonflies are voracious predators that consume hundreds of mosquitoes daily, providing natural pest control worth millions in reduced mosquito-borne disease risk. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Recorded sources for this group: Natural History Museum London, Britannica, fossil record research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Brown Spiketail (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Stephen_WV
Frequently Asked Questions About Brown Spiketail
What is Brown Spiketail?
Brown Spiketail (Zoraena bilineata) is a species in the family Cordulegastridae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Brown Spiketail?
Typically 60-65 mm.
How do you identify Brown Spiketail?
Green eyes that nearly touch. Brown thorax and abdomen. Yellow triangles (bluntly pointed) on the abdomen. Two lateral thoracic stripes, in yellow, that are equal in width.
Where is Brown Spiketail found?
Range: Eastern United States, from Michigan south to Arkansas and Mississippi. Not present in New York or New England.
What does Brown Spiketail eat?
The diet of the Brown Spiketail includes Flying insects..