NC Odonate Website

Related Species in GOMPHIDAE:

Number of records added in 2021 = 0

PDF has more details,
e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
[View PDF]

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.

[Google images]

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, 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 late June or early July 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.

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 orange/red 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_status

S_rank

S4S5

fed_status

G_rank

date_spread

[Overwinter:] [Date Spread:] [No Late Date:] [Split on Feb:] [Default:]

synonym

other_name

Species account update: LeGrand1234

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
Home Page	Search	Odonate Resources	Login	NC Biodiversity Project

Photo Gallery for Russet-tipped Clubtail 18 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Lora Cline Loftin Comment: McDowell; P, 2020-09-10, Marion - female		Photo 2 by: Natalie Beck Comment: Gaston, 2020-07-30, South Fork of the Catawba River, Goat Island Park, Cramerton. iNaturalist Record # 54876963 - Female.
	Photo 3 by: Mike Turner Comment: Davie, 2018-08-19, S. Yadkin River @ US 601		Photo 4 by: Mark Shields Comment: Bladen, 2017-07-30, Cape Fear River at Lock and Dam #1
	Photo 5 by: Mark Shields Comment: Harnett; C, 2017-07-21, Cape Fear River, Erwin. From NC 217 bridge to 2 km upstream, by kayak.		Photo 6 by: Mark Shields Comment: Robeson, 2016-09-25, Lumber River, between Boardman Boating Access and Piney Island Campsite
	Photo 7 by: Mark Shields Comment: Brunswick, 2015-09-05, Waccamaw River - along 4 km stretch upstream of NC 904 bridge		Photo 8 by: Mark Shields Comment: Columbus, 2015-09-05, Waccamaw River - along 4 km stretch upstream of NC 904 bridge
	Photo 9 by: Salman Abdulali Comment: Washington, 2015-09-05, Pocosin Natural Area, Pettigrew State Park		Photo 10 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 11 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 12 by: Mark Shields Comment: Duplin, 2015-08-15, Northeast Cape Fear River by kayak, between Wayne
	Photo 13 by: Mark Shields Comment: Bladen, 2015-08-09, Black River by kayak, between NC 53/11 bridge and Hunts Bluff Wildlife ramp.		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2015-08-09, Black River by kayak, between NC 53/11 bridge and Hunts Bluff Wildlife ramp.
	Photo 15 by: Mike Turner Comment: Durham, 2013-08-24, Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment - males; over Flat River		Photo 16 by: Beth Brinson Comment: Rowan, 2008-07-19, High Rock Lake - Male
	Photo 17 by: Beth Brinson Comment: Rowan, 2008-07-19, High Rock Lake - Male		Photo 18 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.