ARROWHEAD SPIKETAIL & BROWN SPIKETAIL
Arrowhead Spiketail, named for the distinctive arrowhead-shaped markings on the abdomen.
This Arrowhead Spiketail was resting in the grass at Germantown MetroPark, early in the morning. He was perched in the shade, waiting for the sun to warm him up so that he could fly.
Brown Spiketail dragonfly at Cedar Bog. This species perches often and is fairly easy to approach. Notice that it has pairs of yellow, triangular-shaped markings rather than arrowheads.
A newly-emerged Brown Spiketail with its exuvia. Found along the boardwalk at Cedar Bog, May 28, 2016.
Another Brown Spiketail at Cedar Bog, hanging from a leaf.
Brown Spiketails fly in late May and early June. The last week of May or the first week of June is usually an ideal time to find them at Cedar Bog.
This Arrowhead Spiketail was photographed June 3, 2021, at Caesar Creek. He was munching on a bee, a favorite snack of Arrowhead Spiketails.
This individual was photographed near Travertine Fen (Greene County). This location is not accessible without a permit, but there is a public bike path that runs along one edge of Travertine Fen. I found this Brown Spiketail in the ditch right beside the bike path.
Brown Spiketails typically live near fens. The individual at left was photographed at Gallagher Fen (Clark County).
Another Arrowhead Spiketail, found on June 2, 2020, at Caesar Creek. This species usually flies in late May and early June.
Close-up detail of that beautiful, intricate pattern.
The preferred habitat for Arrowhead Spiketails is very small, shallow, fishless streams and trickles, in woods with sunny clearings.