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Leucorrhinia glacialis
Crimson-Ringed Whiteface
Family: Libellulidae
Species account author: Robert Cannings.
Extracted from Introducing the Dragonflies of British Columbia and the Yukon (2002)
Introduction to the Odonata of BC
The Families of Odonata of BC

Photograph

© Ian Lane     (Photo ID #1187)

Map

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Distribution of Leucorrhinia glacialis in British Columbia.
(Click on the map to view a larger version.)
Source: (for the static map) RBCM and BCCDC 2004 ©

Species Information


Description

Can be confused with the Red-waisted Whiteface, but its wings have two rows of cells (shown in figure). Male’s abdomen is mostly black, with red only at the base and without spots on top of the middle segments (though some have thin streaks). Young females have yellow marks on top of segments 1 to 7, sometimes turning red with maturity. Hamule shown in figure; vulvar lamina shown in figure. Length: ♂ 36 mm, ♀ 35 mm.


Flight Period

B.C., mid May to early September.

Genus Description


Small black dragonflies with white faces. The thorax and abdomen are usually marked, males with red and females with yellow (or sometimes red); some pruinescence develops with age. The hindwings have a distinctive small, triangular dark patch at the base and the legs are black. Five of the six species in our region are northern in distribution and most prevalent in the mountains or in the north around the marshy shores of lakes in the late spring or early summer. The Dot-tailed Whiteface is different, preferring cattail marshes and ponds in warm valley bottoms. Whitefaces perch on the ground, logs, lily pads or low vegetation. Males usually hover nearby while females lay eggs. Species can be tricky to separate; look for size, the colour pattern on the abdomen, and the details of the female’s vulvar lamina and the male’s hamules.

Biology

Family Description

The largest dragonfly family in our region – 24 species in eight genera live here and one other species in another genus is a rare visitor. They come in many sizes and colours, many with bold wing markings or coloured veins. Their eyes meet broadly on top of the head. The anal loop in the hindwing is distinctive: foot-shaped with a long toe. Most common around ponds, marshy lakeshores and sluggish streams, the adults dart about and most species spend a lot of time perched horizontally in the sun. Females lay eggs alone or in the company of guarding males. Most dip the tip of their abdomen into the water when releasing the eggs, but some will tap or splash the eggs into wet mud or moss, or simply flick them into a dry pond basin. Some larvae, like those of the emeralds, move sluggishly or squat on the bottom mud; others climb in vegetation.
Field Notes

Lives around marshy lakes and ponds, especially peaty ones, in forests and mountains. Can be abundant in these places.

Distribution


Transition. Widespread in southern and central B.C.

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeS5YellowNot Listed



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