Twin-Spotted Spiketail
Zoraena maculata
This record describes Zoraena maculata (species). Recorded family: Cordulegastridae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Adult Recognized by pairs of short yellow dorsal spots on abdomen. Upper face yellow in males, brown in females. Northern Form - North of VA has body black marked with bright yellow, and sea-green eyes. Southern Form - has body brown marked with pale yellow, and aqua-blue eyes. Nymph Character states for include: Prementum cupped, axis of labial palpi in vertical plane. Labrum covered when prementum and palpi are retracted. Prementum with long setae on dorsal surface. Movable hook shorter than base of palpus. Distal margin of palpus with large, irregular teeth lacking stout setae. Ligula with bifid median process, each side with an angular projection. Small posterolateral spine present on abdomen 8 and 9. Each side of bifid median process of ligula with acuminate median tooth and well-developed accessory tooth. Eastern (E of 100°W longitude. Palpal setae usually 5 per side. Marginal setae of frontal ridge pale, acuminate to blunt apically. Dorsum of body beset mostly with pale, piliform setae and/or short dark acuminate setae. Prementum usually with 5 or 6 primary setae on each side (90%), sometimes 7 on one or both sides (10%).
Wikipedia reference for Zoraena maculata: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoraena_maculata.
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
Habitat
Clear forest streams and small rivers, including trout streams.
Seasonal Activity
Late Feb to late April in South, mid-May to early Aug. in North.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Zoraena maculata. 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 Twin-Spotted Spiketail (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by Tony-2
Frequently Asked Questions About Twin-Spotted Spiketail
What is Twin-Spotted Spiketail?
Twin-Spotted Spiketail (Zoraena maculata) is a species in the family Cordulegastridae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Twin-Spotted Spiketail?
7 cm
How do you identify Twin-Spotted Spiketail?
Adult Recognized by pairs of short yellow dorsal spots on abdomen. Upper face yellow in males, brown in females. Northern Form - North of VA has body black marked with bright yellow, and sea-green eyes. Southern Form - has body brown marked with pale yellow, and aqua-blue eyes. Nymph Character states for include: Prementum cupped, axis of labial palpi in vertical plane. Labrum covered when prementum and palpi are retracted. Prementum with long setae on dorsal surface. Movable hook shorter than base of palpus. Distal margin of palpus with large, irregular teeth lacking stout setae. Ligula with bifid median process, each side with an angular projection. Small posterolateral spine present on abdomen 8 and 9. Each side of bifid median process of ligula with acuminate median tooth and well-developed accessory tooth. Eastern (E of 100°W longitude. Palpal setae usually 5 per side. Marginal setae of frontal ridge pale, acuminate to blunt apically. Dorsum of body beset mostly with pale, piliform setae and/or short dark acuminate setae. Prementum usually with 5 or 6 primary setae on each side (90%), sometimes 7 on one or both sides (10%).
Where is Twin-Spotted Spiketail found?
Habitat: Clear forest streams and small rivers, including trout streams.
When is Twin-Spotted Spiketail active?
Twin-Spotted Spiketail: seasonal activity - Late Feb to late April in South, mid-May to early Aug. in North..