Cordulegaster maculata Selys 1854

Yellow and black dragonflies, often seen flying along forested streams.

This taxon has been recovered in in several molecular phylogenies within Cordulegastridae, which is sister to the non-cordulegastrid Libelluloidea (e.g., Ware et al., 2007; Letsch, unpublished; Bybee et al., 2008; Carle et al., 2008).

Females have an extended ovipositor (hence their common name, spike-tail), which they use to oviposit in muddy banks.

Cordulegaster maculata, also known as the twin-spotted spiketail, is a dragonfly of the family Cordulegastridae. Its body length varies in size from 2.5 to 3.0 inches. It was described by Edmond de Sélys Longchamps in 1854.