The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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North Carolina's 189 Odonate species
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Related Species in GOMPHIDAE: Number of records for 2024 = 0

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[View PDF]		Flag-tailed Spinyleg (Dromogomphus spoliatus) by Owen McConnell
Compare with: Southeastern Spinyleg  
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.
Dromogomphus_spoliatus

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Map
Click on county for list of all its records for Flag-tailed Spinyleg
Flight Charts
Distribution Ranges essentially west of NC, east to eastern TN and the extreme northwestern corner of GA. Finally, in 2014, it was found in NC, in western Graham County, less than 10 miles from the TN line. It is to be looked for in other low elevation sites in the mountains close to the TN border, especially in the southwestern corner of the state.
Abundance Very rare in NC, with just a single documented record (photo). Not uncommon in much of its range, but Beaton (2007) calls it "Rare to uncommon and local" in its small range in northwestern GA.
Flight Late May into September in GA. The only NC record is for 23 June. The NC flight is likely spread out over a 3-4-month period in mid-summer.
Habitat Mostly rivers and large streams, and at times around ponds and lakes; generally at areas where the flow of water is low.
Behavior Males perch on the ground near water; they may also perch on vegetation or other objects.
Comments At least one older reference listed the species as occurring in NC, but Cuyler has no records; Bick and Mauffray (1997-2004) also does not list NC for this species, nor do later references, including the OdonataCentral range maps. However, Owen McConnell obtained an excellent photograph of an individual perched on the ground in north-central Graham County in 2014; this conclusively documents the species in NC. This was the first new odonate species recorded in NC since the Rusty Snaketail was found in 2006; however, the stray records of Twilight Darner in late 2021 now become the most recently added odonate species to the NC list.
State Rank S1
State Status SR
Global Rank G4G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2022-01-27 13:34:00
Photo Gallery for Flag-tailed Spinyleg   1 photos are shown. Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Flag-tailed Spinyleg, Dromogomphus spoliatusPhoto 1 by: Owen McConnell

Comment: Graham, 2014-06-23