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Apache Spiketail

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description Apache Spiketail Overview

The Apache Spiketail (Cordulegaster diadema) is a dragonfly of the family Cordulegastridae native to the American Southwest, particularly montane areas of Arizona and New Mexico. It breeds in small, spring-fed woodland streams with clear, flowing water where larvae develop among submerged substrates. Adults are large and dark-bodied with yellow abdominal markings and conspicuous eyes. The species is considered uncommon and localized, with populations tied to specific spring-fed stream habitats.

help Apache Spiketail FAQ

Where is the Apache Spiketail dragonfly primarily found in the United States?

The Apache Spiketail (Cordulegaster diadema) is native to the American Southwest, particularly in montane areas of Arizona and New Mexico. It prefers high-elevation forest habitats rather than lowland deserts.

What specific aquatic environment does the Apache Spiketail require for breeding?

This dragonfly breeds exclusively in small, spring-fed woodland streams with clear, flowing water. The larvae require these pristine, unpolluted aquatic environments to develop properly before hatching.

What taxonomic family does the Apache Spiketail belong to?

The Apache Spiketail belongs to the Cordulegastridae family, which are commonly referred to as spiketails. Dragonflies in this family are generally large and feature a distinctive pointed projection at the end of their abdomen.

How did the Apache Spiketail get its common name?

Like other members of its family, it is named a "spiketail" due to the long, pointed ovipositor females use to lay eggs in stream beds. The "Apache" moniker reflects its localized habitat in the mountainous regions of the American Southwest.

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