Black Petaltail Dragonfly
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Petailtails, native dragonflies of the Petaluridae family, are believed to be the oldest of the dragonfly families. Fossil records date them back one hundred and fifty million years.
In total, only eleven species are documented world wide, two of which are native to the United States.
The black petaltail (Tanypteryx hageni), pictured above, is found along the West Coast, mostly in sunny habitats near streams or rivers.
The Gray Petaltail is found in the east, scattered from northern New York to eastern Texas.
Generally petaltails are recognized by their dark, spotted and thin abdomens. The face is white or a light color.
The largest dragonfly in the world is a petaltail found in Australia.
© 2007. Patricia A. Michaels