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 2022 = 8
Added in 2022 from a previous year = 12

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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.

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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 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.
State Rank S4S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2021-02-05 12:47:02
Photo Gallery for Russet-tipped Clubtail   23 photos are shown. Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Edgecombe, 2022-06-20, Tar River at Bell's Bridge Boating Access Area, Tarboro		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: Ken Kneidel

Comment: Burke; P, 2021-09-24, - nearly dead, lying on a rock in fast moving stream, McGaillard Falls park		Photo 4 by: Max Ramey, Aaron Reb

Comment: Wilkes; P, 2021-07-17, Kerr Scott Dam/ Yadkin River (Dam to 1000 ft downstream)
Photo 5 by: Matt Spangler

Comment: Chatham, 2021-06-12, Haw River--Bynum Dam - exuviae collected		Photo 6 by: Lora Cline Loftin

Comment: McDowell; P, 2020-09-10, Marion - female
Photo 7 by: Natalie Beck

Comment: Gaston, 2020-07-30, South Fork of the Catawba River, Goat Island Park, Cramerton. iNaturalist Record # 54876963 - Female.		Photo 8 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Davie, 2018-08-19, S. Yadkin River @ US 601
Photo 9 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Bladen, 2017-07-30, Cape Fear River at Lock and Dam #1		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Harnett; C, 2017-07-21, Cape Fear River, Erwin. From NC 217 bridge to 2 km upstream, by kayak.
Photo 11 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Robeson, 2016-09-25, Lumber River, between Boardman Boating Access and Piney Island Campsite		Photo 12 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Brunswick, 2015-09-05, Waccamaw River - along 4 km stretch upstream of NC 904 bridge
Photo 13 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Columbus, 2015-09-05, Waccamaw River - along 4 km stretch upstream of NC 904 bridge		Photo 14 by: Salman Abdulali

Comment: Washington, 2015-09-05, Pocosin Natural Area, Pettigrew State Park
Photo 15 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 16 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 17 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Duplin, 2015-08-15, Northeast Cape Fear River by kayak, between Wayne		Photo 18 by: Mark Shields

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

Comment: Pender, 2015-08-09, Black River by kayak, between NC 53/11 bridge and Hunts Bluff Wildlife ramp.		Photo 20 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Durham, 2013-08-24, Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment - males; over Flat River
Photo 21 by: Beth Brinson

Comment: Rowan, 2008-07-19, High Rock Lake - Male		Photo 22 by: Beth Brinson

Comment: Rowan, 2008-07-19, High Rock Lake - Male
Photo 23 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.