NC Odonate Website

Related Species in GOMPHIDAE:

Number of records for 2025 = 2

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Sable Clubtail (Stenogomphurus rogersi) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Mustached Clubtail Southern Pygmy Clubtail Cherokee Clubtail
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.

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Map

Click on county for list of all its records for Sable Clubtail

Flight Charts

Distribution

Mountains only (and apparently into the immediate foothills), throughout the province, as it is a Northern species yet does range into northern GA and AL.

Abundance

Uncommon, but somewhat widespread in the mountains, with records for 12 of the 17 counties wholly within the province. Very rare to rare in the Piedmont foothills close to the Blue Ridge Escarpment.

Flight

A mid-spring to early summer flier; recent occurrences from 29 March to the end of June, though the flight generally does not begin until early May. Interestingly, older collection dates fall from 17 June to 7 July. Thus, perhaps owing to global warming, the species is flying earlier in recent decades. The overall flight in the state is mid-May to early July.

Habitat

Breeds at small and clear, woodland streams, with sand or gravel bottoms.

Behavior

Males perch on vegetation or rocks, seldom on the ground, near streams. They often perch in shady places and can be hard to see.

Comments

This species is called "secretive" by Dunkle (2000). Records for this clubtail have, thankfully, been increasing in the past few years, presumably owing to more thorough coverage by biologists in the state. Several new counties (Surry, Burke, and Jackson) were documented in 2018, each with photographs; and two more (Haywood and Transylvania) were added in 2022. Even so, the N.C. Natural Heritage Program has placed the species on the Watch List, at least until more surveys of montane areas have been done for all odonates.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Gomphus rogersi

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-10 13:09:58

Photo Gallery for Sable Clubtail 34 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: P Dixon, Jaq Reed Comment: Buncombe, 2025-02-05, Flat Creek, 1 mile north of Hwy 25/70		Photo 2 by: P Dixon Comment: Haywood, 2022-07-12, Harmon Den meadows near horse camp, 35.761858680047766, -82.98522559935496
	Photo 3 by: Tom Howe Comment: Swain, 2022-06-06, resting on vegetation overhanging Hazel Creek at campsite #86		Photo 4 by: Tom Howe Comment: Swain, 2022-06-06, resting on vegetation overhanging Hazel Creek at campsite #86
	Photo 5 by: Kristin Wyatt Comment: Ashe, 2022-06-03,		Photo 6 by: Kristin Wyatt Comment: Ashe, 2022-06-03,
	Photo 7 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2022-05-31, Charlie's Branch, Bluff Community		Photo 8 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2022-05-22, Meadowfork, in creek sections adjacent to fields
	Photo 9 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2022-04-19, Davis Branch, Hot Springs area		Photo 10 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2022-03-29, Stenogomphurus rogersi, 3/29/22, Bluff Community, Charley Branch, Female Captured in silt beside an eddy, with plants and grass roots adjacent. After a week in captivity adult emerged and was released. F0 MtTWL:HW 1.26. OAL 28. AL 17mm. AW 9.3mm. Distal Premental Width 3.5mm. Epiproct Length 1.35mm. Ligula Narrow, slightly convex, with a single medial tooth. Palps 9 teeth both sides. Middorsal Hooks S9 small, S8 tiny. Anterolateral Sclerite S7, S8. Posterolateral Hooks S6-10.
	Photo 11 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2022-03-29, Stenogomphurus rogersi, 3/29/22, Bluff Community, Charley Branch, Female Captured in silt beside an eddy, with plants and grass roots adjacent. After a week in captivity adult emerged and was released. F0 MtTWL:HW 1.26. OAL 28. AL 17mm. AW 9.3mm. Distal Premental Width 3.5mm. Epiproct Length 1.35mm. Ligula Narrow, slightly convex, with a single medial tooth. Palps 9 teeth both sides. Middorsal Hooks S9 small, S8 tiny. Anterolateral Sclerite S7, S8. Posterolateral Hooks S6-10.		Photo 12 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2022-03-29, Stenogomphurus rogersi, 3/29/22, Bluff Community, Charley Branch, Female Captured in silt beside an eddy, with plants and grass roots adjacent. After a week in captivity adult emerged and was released. F0 MtTWL:HW 1.26. OAL 28. AL 17mm. AW 9.3mm. Distal Premental Width 3.5mm. Epiproct Length 1.35mm. Ligula Narrow, slightly convex, with a single medial tooth. Palps 9 teeth both sides. Middorsal Hooks S9 small, S8 tiny. Anterolateral Sclerite S7, S8. Posterolateral Hooks S6-10.
	Photo 13 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2021-05-17, Hot Springs area		Photo 14 by: B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger Comment: Wilkes; M, 2020-06-02
	Photo 15 by: B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger Comment: Wilkes; M, 2020-06-02, Stone Mountain State Park; photo by K. Kittelberger		Photo 16 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Alleghany, 2019-06-03, Stone Mountain State Park (STMO). Big Sandy Creek behind campsite #43. - Males.
	Photo 17 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Alleghany, 2019-06-03, Stone Mountain State Park (STMO). Big Sandy Creek behind campsite #43. - Males.		Photo 18 by: Pete Dixon Comment: Madison, 2019-05-13, River Road, Murray Branch Meadows
	Photo 19 by: Pete Dixon Comment: Madison, 2019-05-13, River Road, Murray Branch Meadows		Photo 20 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Madison, 2019-05-09, River Road North of Hot Springs
	Photo 21 by: Mark Shields, John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-26, Panthertown Valley, Nantahala National Forest - along Panthertown Creek. First record for county		Photo 22 by: Mark Shields, John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-26, Panthertown Valley, Nantahala National Forest - along Panthertown Creek. First record for county
	Photo 23 by: Chuck Smith and John Petranka Comment: Burke; M, 2018-06-07, Linville River at Linville River Campground, Blue Ridge Parkway mile marker 316.5 - Female. Perched on vegetation bordering field adjacent to Linville River.		Photo 24 by: Richard Stickney Comment: Surry, 2018-05-22, Grassy Creek at Pilot Knob Park Lane and nearby field - Young female; first county record
	Photo 25 by: John Petranka Comment: Wilkes; M, 2017-05-31, Stone Mountain State Park (STMO). Stone Mountain Creek, roadside pulloff ca. 100 meters east of Lower Trailhead parking area. North side of road. - Males. Alighting repeatedly on low creekside vegetation in dappled shade.		Photo 26 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Graham, 2015-06-15, male; West Buffalo Creek, 0.2 mile above Huffman Creek Road
	Photo 27 by: Tim Deering Comment: Buncombe, 2015-06-06, Small creek off Lower Flat Creek.		Photo 28 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2014-05-27, Biltmore Estate, Asheville - Female
	Photo 29 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2014-05-27, Biltmore Estate, Asheville - Female		Photo 30 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2014-05-27, Biltmore Estate, Asheville - Female