NC Odonate Website

Related Species in GOMPHIDAE:

Number of records for 2024 = 4

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Midland Clubtail (Gomphurus fraternus) by John Petranka

Compare with: Splendid Clubtail Cobra Clubtail Cocoa Clubtail Blackwater Clubtail Septima's 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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Map

Click on county for list of all its records for Midland Clubtail

Flight Charts

Distribution

Known only from two sites in the lower Piedmont, the Rocky River and the adjacent Pee Dee River, both in the Yadkin--Pee Dee drainage. The Pee Dee site was discovered in 2024. The distribution in the state would suggest that this is a Southern species, but in fact it is a North-central/Northeastern species, ranging south mainly to MD, WV, and western TN.

Abundance

Undoubtedly very rare in NC, as it is known from just a single drainage.

Flight

All of the records fall between 20 April and 8 May. It is assumed that adults are present for only a few weeks -- probably mid-April to mid-May.

Habitat

Breeds at fast flowing rivers and large streams.

See also Habitat Account for Piedmont and General Rocky Rivers

Behavior

Perch on rocks or banks near rivers. References indicate that this is a very fast and strong flier, able to overtake and feed on other dragonflies.

Comments

This is a very poorly known clubtail in NC. Its known state range -- three counties (Anson, Stanly, and Richmond) that border the Rocky and Pee Dee rivers in the lower Piedmont -- is most unusual, as this is a Northeastern species. Does it not occur along the Flat, Eno, Haw, Cape Fear, and other rivers in the eastern Piedmont, where there has been more odonate field work? On the other hand, this is a difficult-to-identify species, unless a specimen or multiple photos are taken. In fact, photos of a clubtail from the Eno River in Orange County have been re-examined, and it was felt not to be a Midland Clubtail. (They were carried on this website as a "Midland" for several years.) Thankfully, John Petranka decided to travel to the Rocky River in spring 2017 to look for this species and, sure enough, re-found it along the river, but about 5.5 miles miles upriver from Duncan Cuyler's previous site. He saw and photographed several males on 20 April, which also extended the earliest state date by eight days. A few others have also seen and photographed it at this site. In late April 2024, Lucas Wilson photographed three males at the Pee Dee River along the western side of Richmond County, for a gratifying second site known in the state.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Gomphus fraternus

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2024-04-26 12:06:35

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Midland Clubtail 12 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Richard Stickney Comment: Anson, 2024-05-12, Red Hill landing at NC 109 and Pee Dee River - Female		Photo 2 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Anson, 2024-04-28, Red Hill Boating Access Area on Pee Dee River - 2 males, 1 female; perched on bare ground, gravel, and pavement in parking area
	Photo 3 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Anson, 2024-04-28, Red Hill Boating Access Area on Pee Dee River - 2 males, 1 female; perched on bare ground, gravel, and pavement in parking area		Photo 4 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips, Lucas Wilson Comment: Richmond; P, 2024-04-28, Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge; Andrews Pond to Pee Dee River
	Photo 5 by: Lucas Wilson Comment: Richmond; P, 2024-04-24, - Richmond, 2024-04-24, Pee Dee River at Andrew's Pond unit of Pee Dee NWR. About 0.3 miles down gravel road from the pond, landing on gravel road along Pee Dee River. Males. Some individuals with barely fused T1 and T2, all with dorsal spot on S9.		Photo 6 by: Lucas Wilson Comment: Richmond; P, 2024-04-24, - Richmond, 2024-04-24, Pee Dee River at Andrew's Pond unit of Pee Dee NWR. About 0.3 miles down gravel road from the pond, landing on gravel road along Pee Dee River. Males. Some individuals with barely fused T1 and T2, all with dorsal spot on S9.
	Photo 7 by: Lucas Wilson Comment: Richmond; P, 2024-04-24, - Richmond, 2024-04-24, Pee Dee River at Andrew's Pond unit of Pee Dee NWR. About 0.3 miles down gravel road from the pond, landing on gravel road along Pee Dee River. Males. Some individuals with barely fused T1 and T2, all with dorsal spot on S9.		Photo 8 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Anson, 2023-05-07, - Rocky River near Plank Road
	Photo 9 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Stanly, 2023-05-07, Stanly County - Rocky River near Plank Road, downstream of the bridge, perching on rocks. Mid-day sighting. Partly cloudy, breezy.		Photo 10 by: John Petranka Comment: Anson, 2017-04-20, Rocky River at the Plank Road canoe/kayak launch. About 5.5 river miles upstream from Cuyler's US Hwy 52 site. - Males. Flying low over water occasionally landing on vegetation or boat launch at river's edge. Some individuals have a small dorsal spot on S9.
	Photo 11 by: John Petranka Comment: Anson, 2017-04-20, Rocky River at the Plank Road canoe/kayak launch. About 5.5 river miles upstream from Cuyler's US Hwy 52 site. - Males. Flying low over water occasionally landing on vegetation or boat launch at river's edge. Some individuals have a small dorsal spot on S9.		Photo 12 by: John Petranka Comment: Anson, 2017-04-20, Rocky River at the Plank Road canoe/kayak launch. About 5.5 river miles upstream from Cuyler's US Hwy 52 site. - Males. Flying low over water occasionally landing on vegetation or boat launch at river's edge. Some individuals have a small dorsal spot on S9.