NC Odonate Website

Related Species in GOMPHIDAE:		Number of records for 2024 = 3
Added in 2024-00-00 from a previous year = 1 (2018-05-00)

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Sandhill Clubtail (Phanogomphus cavillaris) by John Petranka

Compare with: Lancet Clubtail Ashy 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 Sandhill Clubtail

Flight Charts

Distribution

Extreme southeastern corner of the state (Bladen and Brunswick counties only); disjunct from the main part of the range in FL and extreme southern GA. Surprisingly, not yet known from SC.

Abundance

Very rare and local in NC, but numerous at one or more sites in Bladen County; a remarkable count of 55 was made by Matt Spangler (via kayak) around the shoreline of one bay lake in 2021. Dunkle (2000) calls it "common" in FL, but the fact that the species hasn't been found in SC or most of GA suggests that it must be quite scarce (or absent) away from natural lakes or natural limesink ponds.

Flight

Spring to very early summer. NC dates fall between mid-April and mid-June.

Habitat

Sand-bottomed lakes and ponds only; so far only at or near natural Carolina bay lakes and limesink ponds. Individuals are often seen along the shoreline of a natural lake, perching on the sand or on twigs/logs in the water. One seen in May 2015, however, was over a mile from the nearest lake and perched on the ground along a roadside.

Behavior

Males perch on the ground or in vegetation near natural lakes and ponds.

Comments

The subspecies in NC is Phanogomphus cavillaris brimleyi. This subspecies is also found in the panhandle of Florida; the nominate subspecies (P. c. cavillaris) is found throughout the FL peninsula. Ed Corey saw and photographed several individuals on 3-4 June 2008 at bay lakes in Bladen County, to confirm that the species still has a presence in NC. Over 35 additional records were made between 2009 and 2021, at various bay lakes in this county, and thus it is not restricted to just one or two sites. Note, however, that all of the non-Bladen records (i.e., Brunswick County) are from 1992 and earlier; thus, currently it is just known from a single county. In that county, the individuals noted by Cuyler were presumably using the many limesink ponds for their habitat. There has been much survey in recent years at the numerous limesink ponds at Boiling Spring Lakes, and though a number of other rare or uncommon odonate species have been found at them, none have been Sandhill Clubtails.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Gomphus cavillaris

Other Name

Brimley's Clubtail - Phanogomphus cavillaris brimleyi

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-10 12:29:41

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Sandhill Clubtail 15 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2024-04-07, Jones Lake State Park - Sandy pine stand		Photo 2 by: Lori Arent, Harry LeGrand Comment: Bladen, 2023-04-21, several locations in Bladen County - Jones Lake -- all perching on swim area floating barrier; photo by Lori Arent
	Photo 3 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Bladen, 2021-05-24, Jones Lake SP (circumnavigating lake by kayak) - surprisingly high 1x1 count around the entire lakeshore; they seemed to favor perches on dead tree trunks and larger branches sticking out of the water		Photo 4 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Bladen, 2021-05-24, Jones Lake SP (circumnavigating lake by kayak) - surprisingly high 1x1 count around the entire lakeshore; they seemed to favor perches on dead tree trunks and larger branches sticking out of the water
	Photo 5 by: Mike Turner Comment: Bladen, 2020-05-03, Bay Tree State Natural Area		Photo 6 by: E. Corey Comment: Bladen, 2019-05-06, Along shore at Bay Tree Lake - 16 males, 1 female
	Photo 7 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Bladen, 2017-05-20, - Jones Lake. Two females spotted on trails away from water, two males later at water with Mike Turner		Photo 8 by: John Petranka Comment: Bladen, 2017-04-17, Jones Lake State Park (JONE). - Females. Recently emerged; on the fishing pier.
	Photo 9 by: Mark Shields Comment: Bladen, 2017-04-16, Bay Tree Lake State Park (BATR)		Photo 10 by: John Petranka Comment: Bladen, 2016-04-27, Bay Tree Lake State Park
	Photo 11 by: Rick Cheicante Comment: Bladen, 2015-05-03		Photo 12 by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Ed Corey Comment: Bladen, 2013-06-04, seen at Jones Lake State Park - one seen very well
	Photo 13 by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Ed Corey Comment: Bladen, 2013-06-04, seen at Jones Lake State Park - one seen very well		Photo 14 by: J. Beane Comment: Bladen, 2012-05-26
	Photo 15 by: E. Corey Comment: Bladen, 2008-06-04, male collected