NC Odonate Website

Related Species in GOMPHIDAE:

Number of records for 2025 = 12

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Lancet Clubtail (Phanogomphus exilis) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Ashy Clubtail Sandhill Clubtail
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and females.

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Map

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

Flight Charts

Distribution

Unlike most of the other clubtails in NC, this species ranges throughout the state, occurring in essentially all counties, though there are no records for a few mountain and eastern Coastal Plain counties.

Abundance

Common and widespread. Generally the most common and often seen clubtail over most of the state, especially in the Coastal Plain. Presumably not common in the higher mountains.

Flight

Mainly in the spring. Downstate, from the end of March to late June, peaking in April and early May. In the mountains, the dates are from mid-April to late July, with a peak in early June.

Habitat

Breeds mainly at ponds and small lakes, but also at streams.

Behavior

Adults frequently perch on dirt roads, sunny trails, and other bare areas, often a long way from water. They also perch on low vegetation near water.

Comments

Over most of the state, this and the similar Ashy Clubtail are the most frequently observed clubtails by the average person, as both frequently perch on dirt roads and are rather unwary. Differentiating between the two can be somewhat tricky, though the Lancet is slightly smaller, slimmer, and brighter-colored, among several other field marks.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Gomphus exilis

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-10 12:38:17

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Lancet Clubtail 54 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Mark Shields Comment: Duplin, 2025-04-17, Kenansville Boating Access Area along NE Cape Fear River		Photo 2 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2024-03-10, Hot Springs area, pond
	Photo 3 by: Lynn Swafford Comment: Pitt, 2021-05-24, Pond in Farmville, NC near disk golf course		Photo 4 by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin Comment: Yancey, 2021-05-24, Along Cane River south of Burnsville. - Both sexes.
	Photo 5 by: Lynn Swafford Comment: Nash, 2021-05-21,		Photo 6 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-06-02, Hot Springs area, French Broad River
	Photo 7 by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Comment: Richmond; C, 2020-05-13, Naked Creek along the road		Photo 8 by: Mike Turner Comment: Bladen, 2020-05-08, South River at Sloan's Bridge Boating Access Area
	Photo 9 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-05-04, Hot Springs area		Photo 10 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-05-03, French Broad River, Hot Springs area
	Photo 11 by: Barbara McRae Comment: Macon, 2019-06-04, Female, feeding; Little Tennessee River, Franklin		Photo 12 by: Mark Swanson Comment: Avery, 2019-06-03, - Male photographed near Linville River.
	Photo 13 by: John Petranka Comment: Burke; M, 2019-05-21, Linville River at Linville Falls Campground, Blue Ridge Parkway. - Males.		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Mitchell, 2019-05-16, Living Waters Campground, Glen Ayre. - around edges of ponds. First record for county.
	Photo 15 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Polk; M, 2019-05-13, Green River, Green River Game Land		Photo 16 by: Mike Turner Comment: Alleghany, 2018-06-17, Little Glade Mill Pond at mile marker 230 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
	Photo 17 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt. Comment: Rockingham, 2018-05-22, Mayo River State Park. Upper pond at headquarters. - Incuding female knocked into water by Unicorn Clubtail, fished out, photographed and released.		Photo 18 by: Mark Shields and Hunter Phillips Comment: Rockingham, 2018-05-13, Mayo River State Park (MARI) - Mayo Mountain Access - around ponds near park office
	Photo 19 by: Mark Shields Comment: Johnston, 2018-05-01, Little River at Rains Mill Road bridge, Princeton		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields Comment: Lenoir, 2018-05-01, Neuseway Nature Park, Kinston
	Photo 21 by: Mark Shields Comment: Anson, 2018-04-21, Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge		Photo 22 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2017-06-11, Owen Park, Warren Wilson College - Male
	Photo 23 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2017-05-07, Shelter Creek Boating Access Area		Photo 24 by: Mark Shields Comment: Bladen, 2017-04-16, South River at Sloan's Bridge
	Photo 25 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Camden, 2017-04-14, Dismal Swamp State Park (DISW)		Photo 26 by: Curtis Smalling Comment: Robeson, 2017-04-12, at WRC put in on river - 34.591680, -78.983892 - pretty common sunning in grass
	Photo 27 by: Mark Shields Comment: Columbus, 2017-04-12, Waccamaw River from Pireway Boating Access Area to 6 km upstream		Photo 28 by: Mark Shields Comment: Brunswick, 2017-04-12, Waccamaw River from Pireway Boating Access Area to 6 km upstream
	Photo 29 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jones, 2017-04-11, Weetock Trail near Haywood Landing, Croatan National Forest		Photo 30 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Graham, 2016-06-09, Tuskeegee Motel Pond, female. More than average amount of yellow on S8-S10.