Leucorrhinia albifrons (Dark Whiteface) inhabits oligotrophic to mesoeutrophic freshwater habitats, mainly in central and eastern Europe and the southern parts of Scandinavia including Finland. In western Europe the species mostly disappeared in the second half of the 20th century but in recent new populations have popped up in the Netherlands and Germany, some of them very large, and vagrant individuals have appeared on surprising locations.
With their white cerci, small size and pruisosity, Dark Whitefaces look rather similar to Lilypad Whitefaces (Leucorrhinia caudalis) but the abdomen is decidedly less club-shaped. Males have pterostigmas that look black when observed from above rather than white. Both species can sometimes be found in the same habitat.
Below is a sequence of an emerging female photographed on May 18, 2024 in the Netherlands.
