NC Odonate Website

Related Species in GOMPHIDAE:

Number of records for 2025 = 2

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Cocoa Clubtail (Gomphurus hybridus) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Splendid Clubtail Cobra 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 Cocoa Clubtail

Flight Charts

Distribution

Present over much of the central and western Coastal Plain and eastern/central portion of the Piedmont, but with large gaps in the range (such as the well-studied northeastern Piedmont). The range in the Coastal Plain is expanding northward, as many new records came from the Roanoke River area in 2012; the species was previously known northward only to the Neuse River area. In fact, until 2013, Virginia had no records; however, there are now five records for the southeastern and central parts of that state. A number of new records have also been made in the Piedmont in recent years, including first county records for Richmond and Forsyth in 2019, Anson in 2020, and our westernmost county in Catawba in 2021. Thus, it seems that the species is expanding the range westward into the Piedmont, as well as moving northward in the Coastal Plain. Still, the lack of records for the northeastern Piedmont is puzzling, as this is a highly worked area of the state, though a few records should be made there in the next handful of years.

Abundance

Common, at least locally, along the upper part of the Roanoke River (Halifax and Northampton counties). Uncommon and local in the central and southern parts of the Coastal Plain, but rare and local in the Piedmont portion of the range. Dunkle (2000) considers the species to be fairly common, whereas in GA Beaton (2007) say it is uncommon in the Coastal Plain but rare elsewhere.

Flight

Spring season only; the known dates in NC range from 28 March to 31 May. The flight is earlier in the Coastal Plain, starting in late March, whereas the first Piedmont records are not until late April.

Habitat

Large or medium rivers with silty or sandy bottoms. Most sites are along brownwater rivers, but a few have been at blackwater sites.

See also Habitat Account for General Rivers and Large Streams

Behavior

Males spend little time in flight patrols over the water. Teneral individuals, as well as adults, often forage hundreds of yards away from rivers, such as along clearings, dirt tracks, and forest openings. It is an unwary species and can be easily approached on the ground.

Comments

This is one of the relatively few clubtails to be found along slow-moving rivers and large creeks in the Coastal Plain. (The majority of clubtails are found in the mountains and Piedmont, and near faster waters.) Steve Hall and Harry LeGrand found it commonly on several spring dates in 2012 at sites within 1/2-mile of the Roanoke River, for a notable northward range extension. As it has been found in VA in 2013, 2016, and 2017, it is obviously moving northward.

The species is still on the NC Natural Heritage Program Watch List, but as it is clearly moving northward, if not also westward into the central Piedmont, it is uncertain if it will remain on that list. As there are now 57 records (with dates) as of 2022, the species probably no longer needs to remain on the Watch List.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Gomphus hybridus

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-24 15:06:58

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Cocoa Clubtail 34 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Al Hooks Comment: Johnston (C), 2025-04-18,		Photo 2 by: Mark Shields Comment: Duplin, 2025-04-17, Wayne's Landing Boating Access along NE Cape Fear River - male
	Photo 3 by: Jeffrey Pippen, Harry LeGrand Comment: Halifax, 2024-05-07, Definitely unwary! Two on trail. One on rock in river. - Roanoke Canal Trail & Weldon Boat Ramp		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: Al Hooks Comment: Johnston, 2024-04-23, site that borders the Neuse River, about 2 miles N of Smithfield		Photo 6 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2024-04-20, Tory Hole Park Boat Ramp, Elizabethtown, NC - 2:22PM at boat ramp
	Photo 7 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Stanly, 2023-05-07, Rocky River downstream of Plank Road bridge. - At least two males present - perching on rocks.		Photo 8 by: Lori Arent, Harry LeGrand Comment: Bladen, 2023-04-21, several locations in Bladen County - Tar Heel boat ramp at the Cape Fear River; photo by Lori Arent
	Photo 9 by: Mike Turner Comment: Cumberland, 2023-04-01, Cape Fear River - boat access on Person St. in Fayetteville - tenerals		Photo 10 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Edgecombe, 2022-05-22, Tar River--Tarboro section, from NC 33 to Shiloh Mills
	Photo 11 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Chatham, 2022-04-22, Deep River--McIver Landing to Deep River Park (by kayak) - county record; 3 netted and 3 photod, more likely present		Photo 12 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Lee, 2022-04-22, Deep River--McIver Landing to Deep River Park (by kayak) - county record; 3 netted and 3 photod, more likely present
	Photo 13 by: calebb (iNaturalist username) Comment: Pitt, 2021-05-16, Greenville. Along the Tar River at River Park North; coordinates ca. 35.6162209, -77.3615944. iNaturalist record #7900845 - Male		Photo 14 by: Tiffany Huffman Comment: Catawba, 2021-05-01, Catawba River at Riverbend Park. iNaturalist record 77042277 posted by John Petranka - male
	Photo 15 by: Tiffany Huffman Comment: Catawba, 2021-05-01, Catawba River at Riverbend Park. iNaturalist record 77042277 posted by John Petranka - male		Photo 16 by: Mike Turner Comment: Anson, 2020-05-02, Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge - Leak's Ferry Rd.
	Photo 17 by: Will Stuart Comment: Anson, 2020-04-26, Leaks Ferry Road near the Pee Dee River overlook, Pee Dee NWR - Poor angle, could not approach.		Photo 18 by: Mark Kosiewski Comment: Bertie, 2019-05-05, Roanoke River at Conine Bend, just northeast of Williamston. - Male.
	Photo 19 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Martin, 2019-05-04, Roanoke River at Conine Bend, just northeast of Williamston (same individual as Mark K. uploaded for Bertie Co.)		Photo 20 by: Harry LeGrand, Bruce Smithson, et al. Comment: Richmond; P, 2019-05-03, Pee Dee River Game Land at the Diggs tract boat ramp - Bruce Smithson photo
	Photo 21 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Bladen, 2019-04-16, Jones Lake State Park (JONE) - males. One perched on gravel road at boat ramp, other on trail to fishing pier		Photo 22 by: Mike Turner Comment: Caswell, 2018-05-31, Dan River @ NC 57 - female
	Photo 23 by: E. Corey, H. Wallace Comment: Duplin, 2018-05-14, Found on private property along the NE Cape Fear River		Photo 24 by: Mike Turner Comment: Davie, 2018-04-22, S. Yadkin River @ Cooleemee boating access - male netted photographed and released
	Photo 25 by: Mark Shields Comment: Bladen, 2017-04-16, Cape Fear River at Lock and Dam #2, Elizabethtown		Photo 26 by: Rick Cheicante Comment: Halifax; P, 2015-05-03
	Photo 27 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Bladen, 2014-05-25, - 1 male, 1 female		Photo 28 by: Timothy Deering Comment: Pender, 2014-04-21, NE Cape Fear River, Holly Shelter Game Land
	Photo 29 by: Doug Johnston Comment: Bladen, 2013-04-26, Cape Fear River, Elwell ferry crossing		Photo 30 by: Steve Hall and Harry LeGrand Comment: Northampton, 2012-05-08, Observed along a gravel road leading to the Confederate Earth Works on the Roanoke River