Nordisk kärrtrollslända
(Leucorrhinia rubicunda)

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 Ruby Whiteface (Leucorrhinia rubicunda) is slightly bigger than the Small Whiteface, and its abdomen is comparatively broad. Its main distinguishing features include the relatively large red (or yellow) abdominal spots and the unicoloured costa, i.e. the leading edge of the wing, which is a brownish yellow from the base all the way through to the tip.

For an overview of the Ruby 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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