# White-belted Ringtail (*Erpetogomphus compositus*) The White-belted Ringtail is a beautiful dragonfly with striking white bands on its body. It loves to fly around water and is often seen darting above ponds and streams. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![White-belted Ringtail](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/White-belted_Ringtails_%289461385981%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mike Lewinski from Tres Piedras, NM, United States, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White-belted_Ringtails_%289461385981%29.jpg) ## Appearance The White-belted Ringtail has a dark body with bright yellow-green markings along its thorax and abdomen. A distinctive pale or white ring encircles the end of its segmented tail, making it visually unique. It also features large, widely separated compound eyes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Gomphidae - **Genus:** Erpetogomphus ## Interesting facts - Adult ringtails can eat hundreds of pesky mosquitoes and flies every day! - Dragonflies have been zipping around Earth for over 300 million years! - Dragonfly nymphs breathe underwater using gills located in their backside! - Males perform dazzling aerial dances to impress females for mating. ## Special abilities - **360-Vision:** White-belted Ringtail has giant compound eyes that help them detect prey from almost any direction, even behind them. - **Acrobatic Flight:** White-belted Ringtail can hover, fly backward, and change direction instantly because of its independently controlled wings. - **Water Hunter:** Baby White-belted Ringtails are fierce underwater hunters with an extendable jaw that helps them ambush small prey. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 70-110 mm - **Size:** 45-55 mm - **Lifespan:** 1095-1825 days - **Flight Speed:** 35 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These insects are expert hunters, with nymphs catching underwater prey and adults snaring flying bugs. - **Age differences:** Nymphs hunt small aquatic animals, while adults catch flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitoes, flies, midges, damselflies, tadpoles - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — Adults consume many mosquitoes daily. - **Eaten by:** Mosquitofish (*Gambusia affinis*) — Nymphs can be prey for these fish. - **Eats:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Large frogs prey on both nymphs and adults. - **Eaten by:** [Barn Swallow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-swallow) (*Hirundo rustica*) — Adult dragonflies are a meal for these birds. ## 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. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [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. - [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 Dragonflies are harmless and fun to watch, but don't try to catch them! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify White-belted Ringtail? 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 White-belted Ringtail's wingspan? 70-110 mm ### How big is White-belted Ringtail? 45-55 mm ### How long does White-belted Ringtail live? 1095-1825 days ### How fast can White-belted Ringtail fly? 35 km/h ### What does White-belted Ringtail eat? These insects are expert hunters, with nymphs catching underwater prey and adults snaring flying bugs. ### Where is White-belted Ringtail usually found? Wetlands ### How does White-belted Ringtail hunt? Pursuit ## 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: [White-belted Ringtail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-belted-ringtail)