9/16/2023 0 Comments Clubtail dragonfly larvae![]() Scientific Publishers, Gainesville, Florida. University of California Press, Los Angeles. A manual of dragonflies of North America (Anisoptera) Including the Greater Antilles and the Provinces of the Mexican Border. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life. Lotic dragonfly (Anisoptera: Odonata) nymphs of the southeastern United States: Identification, distribution and historical. Oxford University Press: New York, New York. A Field Guide to Dragonflies of North America. Available (Accessed: January 11, 2007).ĭonnelly, T. Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing, MI. Special animal abstract for Gomphus quadricolor (rapids clubtail). ![]() Exuviae (cast skin of dragonfly larvae) are best found in June (Cuthrell 2000).Ĭuthrell, D.L. Larvae may be found in appropriate aquatic habitats year-round. Best Time to SeeĪdults are active from late May through mid-July. ![]() Rapids Clubtail larvae feed on smaller aquatic invertebrates and adults feed on insects which they capture in flight. Adult females oviposit by tapping their abdomens onto the surface of swift-flowing water while simultaneously releasing eggs (Nikula et al. Adults are found perching on the ground, on emergent rocks in streams and rivers, or on leaf surfaces (Nikula et al. Gomphid larvae spend much of their time burrowing into the substrate of streams and rivers where they are found. Also, females have more yellow spotting on their abdomen. They may be distinguished from other similar species by the following characteristics: Adults have a more prominent club and less yellow on the abdomen and completely black legs. The male anterior hamule (the top pair of terminal appendages, consisting of hardened cuticle, which borders the genital pocket) is sickle-shaped and female sub-genital plate is thick and 1/7 as long as abdominal segment 9 and has a V-notch nearly to the base. Yellow to gray-green stripes occur laterally on all abdominal segments. They have a slender abdomen with a widened "club" at the end and abdominal segments 8-10 are dark dorsally, with yellow, linear spots present on the top of the other abdominal segments. They have blue-green eyes and, as with all Gomphids, their eyes are separated dorsally. They are 42-45 mm (1.7-1.8 inches) in length with a 31-34 mm abdomen. The Rapids Clubtail is greenish yellow in color with blackish brown stripes and a blackish abdomen with yellow dorsal (top) and lateral (side) stripes (Needham et al. Not only is this species uncommon in New York State, but it is difficult to see due to its camouflaged coloration. Identification Comments Identifying CharacteristicsĪs their name suggests, Clubtails have an enlarged tip on the end of their abdomens, giving them a club-like appearance. There is no existing information regarding the current existence of populations at these locations therefore long-term trends are unclear. Five extant occurrences have been located in Warren, Saratoga, Orange, Ulster, St. There are two known historical occurrences of Gomphus quadricolor in New York State, in Broome and Tompkins counties. Therefore, any new location information on the Rapids Clubtail in New York may be reflective of heightened interest in surveying for this species rather than a population increase or a range expansion (Holst 2005). These occurrences have been reported from the late 1990's to present, and information prior to this time frame is limited. There has been no estimate of population size for this species based on statewide occurrences. If these records are confirmed, this may change the rank to an "S2". There are two locations in the state where exuviae have been found, but no adult sightings were confirmed. There are five extant and two historical locations where this species is known to occur in New York State, with no population estimates determined. Gomphus females have larger spines on their hind legs, allowing them to capture larger prey than their male counterparts (Dunkle 2000). All adult dragonflies are aerial predators that hunt and capture other insects on the wing for food.
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