Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly (female)

A Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly spotted along the boardwalk that goes through the central wetland area at Huntley Meadows Park. This individual is a female, as indicated by its coloration and the terminal appendages at the end of its abdomen. Female Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonflies appear very similar to female Common Whitetail dragonflies (Plathemis lydia). "Although males quite different, female Common Whitetail poses identification problem, as she has same 12 wing spots. In addition to being distinctly smaller, female Whitetail has series of yellowish-whitish spots not contacting edge of each abdominal segment, whereas female Twelve-spotted has continuous parallel yellow stripes on either edge of abdomen. In side view of thorax, female Whitetail has additional yellow dot in front of anterior yellow stripe, lacking in Twelve-spotted." Source Credit: Paulson, Dennis (2011-12-19). Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East (Princeton Field Guides) (Kindle Locations 9017-9021). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition. Related Resource: Common Whitetail dragonflies http://bugguide.net/node/view/603