NC Odonate Website

Related Species in GOMPHIDAE:

Number of records for 2025 = 1

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
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Russet-tipped Clubtail (Stylurus plagiatus) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Two-striped Forceptail Southeastern Spinyleg Shining Clubtail
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
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 Russet-tipped Clubtail

Flight Charts

Distribution

Throughout the Piedmont and nearly all of the Coastal Plain, though probably absent in the far eastern counties; only one county record for the mountains, where essentially absent. No records east of Gates, Chowan, Washington, and Hyde counties.

Abundance

Though there are records for close to two-thirds of the counties in the state, it is uncommon in most of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, but can be fairly common in parts of the Coastal Plain, especially in the southern part of that province. Rare in the foothills, and likely absent in most of the mountains, at least above perhaps 2500 feet in elevation.

Flight

Mid-summer into mid-fall. The flight occurs from mid- or late June to late October.

Habitat

Mainly at rivers and larger streams, but also at some lakes; silty or sandy bottoms. Occurs along both brownwater and blackwater rivers.

See also Habitat Account for General Rivers and Large Streams

Behavior

Often perch on leaves near the water's edge, such that the weight of the body bends the leaf downward until the animals are almost in a vertical position. Adults forage in long flights over the rivers and creeks. In fact, the species is most often seen from a canoe or other type of boat along a wide creek or river, typically flying by at eye level.

Comments

This species, along with the Southeastern Spinyleg, has a large and bright rusty-orange club that is easily seen at a distance. This species can thus be fairly easily identified without a net as it cruises along a river or stream. There has been a most gratifying surge in records in recent years, especially from Mark Shields, who has several double-digit counts by paddling along rivers in the southeastern part of the state.

State Rank

S4S5

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-10 14:24:04

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Russet-tipped Clubtail 30 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Lucas Wilson Comment: Richmond; P, 2024-06-11, - Diggs Tract boat ramp. Teneral male.		Photo 2 by: L. Arent Comment: Durham, 2023-09-20, Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment
	Photo 3 by: Lori Arent, Harry LeGrand Comment: Wake, 2023-08-06, Neuse River Greenway close to the I-540 bridge - males cruising back and forth low over the river, but never perched; photo by L. Arent		Photo 4 by: Richard Stickney Comment: Yadkin, 2022-10-17, Jonesville Greenway at Yadkin River - Mating pair
	Photo 5 by: Richard Stickney Comment: Forsyth, 2022-10-03, Park at Old US 421 and Yadkin River		Photo 6 by: Dick Thomas Comment: Guilford, 2022-09-01, High Point - female patrolling west fork of Deep River
	Photo 7 by: Mark Shields Comment: Edgecombe, 2022-06-20, Tar River at Bell's Bridge Boating Access Area, Tarboro		Photo 8 by: Judy Walker Comment: Union, 2021-10-09, iNaturalist Record 166342187
	Photo 9 by: Ken Kneidel Comment: Burke; P, 2021-09-24, - nearly dead, lying on a rock in fast moving stream, McGaillard Falls park		Photo 10 by: Ken Kneidel Comment: Burke; P, 2021-09-24, - nearly dead, lying on a rock in fast moving stream, McGaillard Falls park
	Photo 11 by: Max Ramey, Aaron Reb Comment: Wilkes; P, 2021-07-17, Kerr Scott Dam/ Yadkin River (Dam to 1000 ft downstream)		Photo 12 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Chatham, 2021-06-12, Haw River--Bynum Dam - exuviae collected
	Photo 13 by: Lora Cline Loftin Comment: McDowell; P, 2020-09-10, Marion - female		Photo 14 by: Natalie Beck Comment: Gaston, 2020-07-30, South Fork of the Catawba River, Goat Island Park, Cramerton. iNaturalist Record # 54876963 - Female.
	Photo 15 by: Mike Turner Comment: Davie, 2018-08-19, S. Yadkin River @ US 601		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields Comment: Bladen, 2017-07-30, Cape Fear River at Lock and Dam #1
	Photo 17 by: Mark Shields Comment: Harnett; C, 2017-07-21, Cape Fear River, Erwin. From NC 217 bridge to 2 km upstream, by kayak.		Photo 18 by: Mark Shields Comment: Robeson, 2016-09-25, Lumber River, between Boardman Boating Access and Piney Island Campsite
	Photo 19 by: Mark Shields Comment: Brunswick, 2015-09-05, Waccamaw River - along 4 km stretch upstream of NC 904 bridge		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields Comment: Columbus, 2015-09-05, Waccamaw River - along 4 km stretch upstream of NC 904 bridge
	Photo 21 by: Salman Abdulali Comment: Washington, 2015-09-05, Pocosin Natural Area, Pettigrew State Park		Photo 22 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: New Hanover, 2015-08-28, Castle Hayne. Along NE Cape Fear River at Riverside Park, Old Bridge Site Rd. - Females. Perched on vegetation near the river.
	Photo 23 by: Mark Shields Comment: Sampson, 2015-08-23, Black River by kayak from Ivanhoe Boating Access to 0.5 km upstream of Dr Kerr Rd bridge		Photo 24 by: Mark Shields Comment: Duplin, 2015-08-15, Northeast Cape Fear River by kayak, between Wayne
	Photo 25 by: Mark Shields Comment: Bladen, 2015-08-09, Black River by kayak, between NC 53/11 bridge and Hunts Bluff Wildlife ramp.		Photo 26 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2015-08-09, Black River by kayak, between NC 53/11 bridge and Hunts Bluff Wildlife ramp.
	Photo 27 by: Mike Turner Comment: Durham, 2013-08-24, Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment - males; over Flat River		Photo 28 by: Beth Brinson Comment: Rowan, 2008-07-19, High Rock Lake - Male
	Photo 29 by: Beth Brinson Comment: Rowan, 2008-07-19, High Rock Lake - Male		Photo 30 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Mecklenburg, 2007-08-06, Latta Plantation Nature Preserve - Gar Creek kayak access area. Along lake edge - Three present, one caught, photographed and released.