Spot-tailed Dasher

Its key field mark is the dark spotting on the tail, or rear abdominal region, rather than a plain abdomen. It is a dragonfly associated with freshwater ponds in the Americas, so the tail pattern and pond habitat are useful clues together.

Look around freshwater ponds and similar wet places in the Americas, where adults are commonly seen flying near the water. A pond edge is a more useful search location than a dry, open field.

It is a dragonfly, not a damselfly. Its common name refers to the dark marks on the tail region, and it is typically observed flying around freshwater ponds.

Yes, the specific dark spotting on the tail region is the feature that gives the Spot-tailed Dasher its common name. Because several pond dragonflies share similar flight habits, check the abdomen pattern as well as the freshwater habitat.