# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Small Whiteface](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Leucorrhinia_dubia_orientalis.JPG&width=800) Photo: Alpsdake, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leucorrhinia_dubia_orientalis.JPG) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Leucorrhinia ## 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 - **Lightning Hunter:** Small Whiteface can snatch flying insects mid-air because of its incredible agility and excellent eyesight that helps them spot prey. - **Underwater Breath:** Small Whiteface nymphs can breathe underwater using special gills inside their body that helps them stay submerged while hunting. - **Thermal Pilot:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle and quiet around dragonflies so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Small Whiteface? Compare wing shape and resting posture, where the eyes sit, body markings and the tail segments. Males and females can look very different in color. Dragonfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Small Whiteface's wingspan? 45-60 mm ### How big is Small Whiteface? 33-39 mm ### How long does Small Whiteface live? 20-60 days ### How fast can Small Whiteface fly? 35 km/h ### What does Small Whiteface eat? Both young and adult Small Whitefaces are skilled predators, feasting on small insects. ### Where is Small Whiteface usually found? Wetlands ### How does Small Whiteface hunt? Ambush And Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Naturpark Soonwald-Nahe](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-soonwald-nahe) — Rheinland-Pfalz, DE · Park - [Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ballons-des-vosges-regional-nature-park) — FR · Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Small Whiteface: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/small-whiteface)