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 added in 2021 = 7

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[View PDF]		Russet-tipped Clubtail (Stylurus plagiatus) by Mark Shields
Compare with: Two-striped Forceptail   Southeastern Spinyleg   Shining 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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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 2,500 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 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.
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S_rank S4S5
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G_rank G5
date_spread [Overwinter:] [Date Spread:] [No Late Date:] [Split on Feb:] [Default:]
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Species account update: LeGrand on 2021-02-05 12:47:02
Photo Gallery for Russet-tipped Clubtail   22 photos are shown. Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: Ken Kneidel

Comment: Burke; P, 2021-09-24, - nearly dead, lying on a rock in fast moving stream, McGaillard Falls park		Photo 2 by: Ken Kneidel

Comment: Burke; P, 2021-09-24, - nearly dead, lying on a rock in fast moving stream, McGaillard Falls park
Photo 3 by: Max Ramey, Aaron Reb

Comment: Wilkes; P, 2021-07-17, Kerr Scott Dam/ Yadkin River (Dam to 1000 ft downstream)		Photo 4 by: Matt Spangler

Comment: Chatham, 2021-06-12, Haw River--Bynum Dam - exuviae collected
Photo 5 by: Lora Cline Loftin

Comment: McDowell; P, 2020-09-10, Marion - female		Photo 6 by: Natalie Beck

Comment: Gaston, 2020-07-30, South Fork of the Catawba River, Goat Island Park, Cramerton. iNaturalist Record # 54876963 - Female.
Photo 7 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Davie, 2018-08-19, S. Yadkin River @ US 601		Photo 8 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Bladen, 2017-07-30, Cape Fear River at Lock and Dam #1
Photo 9 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Harnett; C, 2017-07-21, Cape Fear River, Erwin. From NC 217 bridge to 2 km upstream, by kayak.		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Robeson, 2016-09-25, Lumber River, between Boardman Boating Access and Piney Island Campsite
Photo 11 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Brunswick, 2015-09-05, Waccamaw River - along 4 km stretch upstream of NC 904 bridge		Photo 12 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Columbus, 2015-09-05, Waccamaw River - along 4 km stretch upstream of NC 904 bridge
Photo 13 by: Salman Abdulali

Comment: Washington, 2015-09-05, Pocosin Natural Area, Pettigrew State Park		Photo 14 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 15 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 16 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Duplin, 2015-08-15, Northeast Cape Fear River by kayak, between Wayne
Photo 17 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Bladen, 2015-08-09, Black River by kayak, between NC 53/11 bridge and Hunts Bluff Wildlife ramp.		Photo 18 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Pender, 2015-08-09, Black River by kayak, between NC 53/11 bridge and Hunts Bluff Wildlife ramp.
Photo 19 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Durham, 2013-08-24, Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment - males; over Flat River		Photo 20 by: Beth Brinson

Comment: Rowan, 2008-07-19, High Rock Lake - Male
Photo 21 by: Beth Brinson

Comment: Rowan, 2008-07-19, High Rock Lake - Male		Photo 22 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.