Hudsonian whiteface

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Leucorrhinia hudsonica

Type: invertebrate

Status:

Species Guide

Hudsonian whiteface

Leucorrhinia hudsonica

Species Type: invertebrate

Conservation Status:

IDENTIFICATION

This red and black species is one of the smallest whitefaces at 1.1”. The mature male is black with red on the thorax and abdomen.  The female is marked similarly to the male except the red areas are instead yellow on some forms. Both sexes have red or yellow dorsally between wing bases and triangular basal wing marks.

Distribution & Habitat

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT

This species prefers marshes and bogs with plenty of sphagnum growth. The Hudsonian whiteface is only found in northern New Jersey in few colonies.

Diet

DIET

Nymphs feed on a variety of aquatic insects and will also eat small fish and tadpoles.  Adults will eat soft-bodied flying insects including mosquitoes, flies, butterflies, moths, mayflies, and flying ants or termites.

Life Cycle

LIFE CYCLE

Emergence is throughout May and mature adults can be observed from June into early July.

Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Order: Odonata
  • Family: Libellulidae
  • Genus: Leucorrhinia
  • Species: L. hudsonica