Small Whiteface

Leucorrhinia dubia

The Small Whiteface is a tiny dragonfly with a white face and bright red body. It loves to fly around wetlands and ponds, where it catches small insects to eat.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Small Whiteface is a small, dark dragonfly. Males have bright red patches on their abdomen, while females display yellow markings. Its most distinguishing feature is a clear white face, contrasting with its dark body and dark-banded wings.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyLibellulidaeGenusLeucorrhinia

Small Whiteface

Interesting facts

Small Whiteface larvae can shoot out their jaw to catch prey!

They can fly both forwards and backwards, and even hover!

They spend most of their life as a fierce underwater hunter before flying!

This dragonfly has huge compound eyes with thousands of tiny lenses.

Special abilities

Small Whiteface can snatch flying insects mid-air because of its incredible agility and excellent eyesight that helps them spot prey.

Small Whiteface nymphs can breathe underwater using special gills inside their body that helps them stay submerged while hunting.

Small Whiteface can regulate its body temperature by changing its flight patterns and position that helps them stay active.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 45-60 mm
Size: 33-39 mm
Lifespan: 20-60 days
Flight Speed: 35 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Both young and adult Small Whitefaces are skilled predators, feasting on small insects.

Age differences: Nymphs are aquatic ambush predators, while adults are aerial pursuit predators.

Primary Foods

Mosquitoes
Midges
Small flies
Gnats
Caddisflies

Foraging Method

Ambush And Pursuit

Ecological connections

eaten by

Common Frog

Rana temporaria

Adults and nymphs can be prey for frogs.

eaten by

European Perch

Perca fluviatilis

Fish eat the Small Whiteface nymphs in the water.

hunts

Common House Mosquito

Culex pipiens

The Small Whiteface hunts mosquito adults and larvae.

depends on

Floppy Sphagnum Moss

Sphagnum fallax

Nymphs shelter and develop among this moss in bogs.

Traits

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.