# Two-Striped Forceptail (*aphylla williamsoni*)

The Two-Striped Forceptail is a vibrant insect known for its striking stripes. It loves to flutter around flowers, making it a delightful sight for nature lovers!

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens, meadows, and forests.
- **Also known as:** Garden Striper, Striped Flutterer, Sunny Flyer

![Two-Striped Forceptail](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aphyllawilliamsoni.jpg&width=800)

Photo: David Arbour, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aphyllawilliamsoni.jpg)

## Appearance

The Two-Striped Forceptail has a greenish-yellow thorax marked with two distinct dark brown stripes. Its abdomen is dark brown with noticeable yellow patterns, and its clear, strong wings stretch outward. This medium-large dragonfly features prominent claspers at its tail end.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Odonata
- **Family:** Gomphidae
- **Genus:** Aphylla

## Interesting facts

- Dragonflies are ancient insects; their ancestors flew over 300 million years ago!
- Each of its four wings can move separately, allowing amazing aerial tricks.
- Its babies, called nymphs, live underwater for years before they become flying adults!
- This dragonfly can quickly change direction in mid-air, making it a master flyer.

## Special abilities

- **Super Sight:** Two-Striped Forceptail has huge compound eyes that help them see almost all around, spotting tiny prey easily.
- **Acrobatic Flight:** Two-Striped Forceptail can fly incredibly fast and hover or even fly backward because of its powerful, independently moving wings.
- **Catching Pincers:** Two-Striped Forceptail can grab insects right out of the air using its spiky legs, which act like a basket.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 90-110 mm
- **Size:** 55-70 mm
- **Lifespan:** 45-75 days
- **Flight Speed:** 35-50 km/h
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

This speedy hunter catches many flying insects, helping keep pesky bug populations in check!

- **Age differences:** Nymphs hunt aquatic larvae and tadpoles; adults catch flying insects in the air.
- **Primary Foods:** Mosquitoes, Flies, Gnats, Moths, Small butterflies
- **Foraging Method:** Pursuit

## Ecological connections

- **Hunts:** Mosquito (*Anopheles quadrimaculatus*) — eats them mid-air
- **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — a common aerial meal
- **Eaten by:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — fish prey on nymphs
- **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — eats dragonfly nymphs

## Traits

- [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
- [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.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [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

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Two-Striped Forceptail?

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 Two-Striped Forceptail's wingspan?

90-110 mm

### How big is Two-Striped Forceptail?

55-70 mm

### How long does Two-Striped Forceptail live?

45-75 days

### How fast can Two-Striped Forceptail fly?

35-50 km/h

### What does Two-Striped Forceptail eat?

This speedy hunter catches many flying insects, helping keep pesky bug populations in check!

### Where is Two-Striped Forceptail usually found?

Gardens, meadows, and forests.

### How does Two-Striped Forceptail hunt?

Pursuit

## Where to spot

- [George Barker Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/george-barker-park) — Florida, US · 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*)

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Source: [Two-Striped Forceptail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/two-striped-forceptail)