NC Odonate Website

Related Species in CORDULIIDAE:

Number of records for 2024 = 0

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Stygian Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia yamaskanensis) by p dixon

Compare with: Alabama Shadowdragon Smoky Shadowdragon Umber Shadowdragon Cinnamon Shadowdragon
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Note: these identification tips apply to both sexes. Female depicted here.

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Map

Click on county for list of all its records for Stygian Shadowdragon

Flight Charts

Distribution

A Northern species, ranging south to the mountains of NC and TN. So far, in NC known from just five counties, but thankfully ranging from the VA state line to the GA state line; however, it has not yet been recorded from the latter state.

Abundance

Rare to locally quite numerous, but as it is crepuscular, true relative abundance across the mountains is only speculative at the present time. Thankfully, Pete Dixon found large numbers in 2019-2021 along the French Broad River in Madison County, with an estimate of 30 individuals at dusk -- likely all or nearly all this species -- on one evening in 2019 and a remarkable estimate of 50 of them on one evening in 2020. He has documented the species there with excellent photos, including in the hand. Also notable were four were seen at a site in Ashe County in 2017, and another four at a site in neighboring Alleghany County in 2020.

Flight

Mid-May to at least early July, but this is based on just 20 records with dates.

Habitat

Larger rivers (and lakes elsewhere?), but only where there is much wave action.

Behavior

This shadowdragon flies even later in the day than the others, typically not flying until sunset, and continuing for another 30 minutes, often flying later on moonlit nights. Pete Dixon conducted a detailed study of the temporal and seasonal mating patterns of this species by counting mated pairs at dusk at a site along the French River in Madison County (Dixon, P. 2021). During the day, all shadowdragons perch in the shade of forests on twigs and leaves, where nearly impossible to find.

Comments

Not surprisingly, this Northern species has been recorded at just a handful of sites in NC, and it is the only one of the five shadowdragons in NC that occurs in the mountains. The Madison records are from the French Broad River and the Macon record is from the Little Tennessee River. We suspect that the Alleghany record is from the New River, especially as a 2017 record for neighboring Ashe County is from the South Fork New River. Another 2017 record, for Buncombe County, surprisingly turned up in Vin Stanton's yard, though located only 1/4-mile from the French Broad River, its suspected habitat. Pete Dixon provided much new information on its habits with his many 2019-2021 observations in Madison County.

The species has still been found recently only along two large rivers -- the French Broad and the New (several forks) -- and though not rare at all along these waters, the State Rank probably should stay at S1? (and on the N.C. Natural Heritage Program's Rare List) for now.

State Rank

S1?

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-24 15:10:40

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Stygian Shadowdragon 13 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Pete Dixon, Kevin Metcalf, Rob Van Epps Comment: Madison, 2023-09-20, Female, worn. Found on River Road by Pete Dixon, photographed by K. Metcalf and R. Van Epps		Photo 2 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2022-05-10, Hot Springs area - One dead on the road, one perched in a tree
	Photo 3 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2021-05-15, Hot Springs area		Photo 4 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-06-09
	Photo 5 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-06-07, Hot Springs area - large group feeding and mating on the French Broad River, 30 plus mating pairs counted		Photo 6 by: Pete Dixon Comment: Madison, 2019-06-02, Sunset and then until dark, on the French Broad River, 1/2 mile downstream from Murray Branch - Many of these flying low over the French Broad, area of mixed riffles and eddies, rocky shore, silty bouldery bottom. Much chasing visible and several couples formed in the half hour after sunset. Couples moved to nearby trees. One netted from shore.
	Photo 7 by: Pete Dixon Comment: Madison, 2019-06-02, Sunset and then until dark, on the French Broad River, 1/2 mile downstream from Murray Branch - Many of these flying low over the French Broad, area of mixed riffles and eddies, rocky shore, silty bouldery bottom. Much chasing visible and several couples formed in the half hour after sunset. Couples moved to nearby trees. One netted from shore.		Photo 8 by: Pete Dixon Comment: Madison, 2019-05-16, Observed in the woods above the cliffs overlooking the French Broad River 1/2 mile downstream from Murray Branch (River Road), 200 yards from the river - resting in the shade on a hot day in the forest near the French Broad
	Photo 9 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Ashe, 2017-06-20, South Fork of the New River at Twin Rivers Campground. Flying fast and low over riffles, flying upstream to pool and repeating that flight pattern. - One male photographed in very low light. Unsure of sex of others. First noticed activity at ca. 8:30 PM (may have begun earlier). Activity ended abruptly at ca. 8:50 PM. Sunset was at 8:46 PM.		Photo 10 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2017-06-18, 1/4 mile from French Broad River, my yard - Female, captured early AM chilled in fridge before imaging
	Photo 11 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2017-06-18, 1/4 mile from French Broad River, my yard - Female, captured early AM chilled in fridge before imaging		Photo 12 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2017-06-18, 1/4 mile from French Broad River, my yard - Female, captured early AM chilled in fridge before imaging
	Photo 13 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2017-06-18, 1/4 mile from French Broad River, my yard - Female, captured early AM chilled in fridge before imaging