Dark Whiteface
(Leucorrhinia albifrons)

The five European species of Whitefaces (genus: Leucorrhinia) can be divided into two groups: those whose males are black and red and whose appendages are black, and those whose males are black (albeit partially covered with a whitish pruinescence) and whose appendages are white. The females and young males are always black and yellow and their appendages too are either black or white depending on the species. All five species have a largely North-Eastern European distribution, with the Small Whiteface (Leucorrhinia dubia) perhaps venturing furthest South. The Dark Whiteface (Leucorrhinia albifrons) has perhaps not been given the most felicitous common or scientific name; it is not the only dark Whiteface species (Leucorrhinia caudalis is dark too), nor are the white patches on its labium easily identifiable in the field. What distinguishes the species more readily from the other white-appendaged species Leucorrhinia caudalis are the shape of its abdomen (thin and cylindrical rather than broadened at S7-8), the colour of the pterostigma (black rather than white), and - at least in our experience - its tendency to sit on the ground rather than exclusively on lily pads. In addition, the Dark Whiteface seems to be a comparatively trusting and easily approachable species.

For an overview of the Dark Whiteface's distribution in Europe, hover your mouse pointer over the map symbol .
With the authors' permission we have based this map on data published in Kalkman et al. (2010).

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