**Description:** A large, showy dragonfly with twelve dark spots on its wings and a dark-striped abdomen.
**Size:** 1.9 to 2.1 inches long.
**Sexual Dimorphism:** Mature males develop ten white "chalky" patches between the dark wing spots; females and juveniles lack the white patches.
**Behavior:** Strong fliers often seen perching on the tips of tall reeds. They are known to aggressively defend their feeding territories.
**Habitat:** Common in a variety of wetlands, including calm reservoir coves and forest ponds.