The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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North Carolina's 189 Odonate species

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Sort Species by: Family   Scientific Name       [ Undocumented ]
Related Species in GOMPHIDAE: Number of records for 2024 = 0
Added in 2024 from a previous years = 2

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
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Ashy Clubtail (Phanogomphus lividus) by John Petranka
Compare with: Lancet Clubtail   Sandhill Clubtail  
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
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 Ashy Clubtail
Flight Charts
Distribution Nearly statewide; throughout the mountains, Piedmont, and nearly all of the Coastal Plain, but seemingly absent in the extreme eastern counties (no records east of Hertford, Tyrrell, and Craven counties).
Abundance Common, except infrequent in the central and eastern Coastal Plain, and very rare to absent in the far eastern counties. Abundance equals that of the Lancet Clubtail in the Piedmont, exceeds the Lancet in the mountains, but is less numerous than that species in the Coastal Plain.
Flight Spring to very early summer season only, but a fairly wide spread of dates (for a clubtail). Generally from late March to late June, but mostly done downstate by late May (Coastal Plain) or mid-June (Piedmont).
Habitat Typically breeds at small creeks or rivers, less so at lakes and ponds.
Behavior Behavior seems identical to the nearly equally numerous Lancet Clubtail. Adults commonly perch on dirt roads, trails, and other bare ground or fallen leaves, often far from water. Adults are unwary and easily studied through binoculars.
Comments Along with the Lancet, these are the most often seen clubtails in NC, typically found on most spring-season field trips to woodlands and fields with appropriate dirt roads or bare ground for perching. Ashy averages slightly longer and huskier in the abdomen than Lancet, the thorax is slightly duller in Ashy, and Ashy's darker colors are dark brown rather than blackish.
State Rank S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym Gomphus lividus
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-10 12:40:32

Photo Gallery for Ashy Clubtail   50 photos are available.
Only the most recent 30 are shown.
Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: P Dixon

Comment: Yancey, 2023-10-28, Cane River at the Whittington Rd Bridge, iNat observation 189525471
Photo 2 by: P Dixon

Comment: Madison, 2023-10-14, Spring Creek, in Hot Springs, iNat 187847167
Photo 3 by: G. McGrane

Comment: Watauga, 2023-05-24, At Angel Stair wetland Boone Greenway - Female
Photo 4 by: John Petranka

Comment: Orange, 2023-04-02, Hollow Rock Nature Park, Pickett Road Edges, Orange County, NHCBP - Female
Photo 5 by: B. Bockhahn

Comment: Stokes, 2022-05-04, Hanging Rock State Park
Photo 6 by: B. Bockhahn

Comment: Catawba, 2022-04-16, Wilderness Gateway State Trail - Jacob Fork East
Photo 7 by: Matt Spangler

Comment: Orange, 2022-04-02, Occoneechee Mountain SNA
Photo 8 by: Paul Hart

Comment: Harnett; C, 2022-03-20, Cape Fear Shiner Park
Photo 9 by: Kevin Metcalf

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2021-05-13, - Latta Nature Preserve - power line ROW
Photo 10 by: John Petranka

Comment: Alamance, 2021-05-21, Sunny patches on upland trails near the Haw River at Shallow Ford Natural Area. - Male.
Photo 11 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-04-20, Hot Springs area
Photo 12 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-04-20, Hot Springs area
Photo 13 by: Jan Hansen

Comment: Orange, 2020-04-04, Power line cut parallel to Morgan Creek near Mason Farm
Photo 14 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

Comment: Cumberland, 2020-03-19, Carvers Creek State Park (CACR) - Sandhills Access - male
Photo 15 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt

Comment: Moore; C, 2020-03-18, Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve (WEWO). - Female. Teneral. Unsteady flight and still folding wings over abdomen when perched.
Photo 16 by: John Petranka

Comment: Avery, 2019-05-21, Linville River at Linville Falls Picnic Area, Blue Ridge Parkway mile marker 316.5 - Male.
Photo 17 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

Comment: Mitchell, 2019-05-16, Nolichucky River at Poplar Access Area.
Photo 18 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

Comment: Polk; M, 2019-05-13, Green River Game Land at Fishtop Access
Photo 19 by: Aaron Edmonds

Comment: Harnett; C, 2019-04-06, Campbell University- Marshbanks Property
Photo 20 by: Aaron Edmonds

Comment: Harnett; C, 2019-04-06, Campbell University- Marshbanks Property
Photo 21 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Brunswick, 2019-03-30, Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve, Winnabow
Photo 22 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Jones, 2017-04-11, Weetock Trail near Haywood Landing, Croatan National Forest
Photo 23 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Onslow, 2017-03-29, my property, Holly Ridge - female. Inset photo shows subgenital plate.
Photo 24 by: John Petranka

Comment: Watauga, 2016-05-12, New River at Green Valley Community Park near Todd. Male.
Photo 25 by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka

Comment: Caldwell, 2016-05-10, Wilson Creek at confluence with Harper Creek. Males and females. Photo.
Photo 26 by: John Petranka

Comment: Montgomery, 2016-04-05, Uwharrie National Forest along FS Rd. 555 just downstream from confluence of Moccasin Creek with Uwharrie River. Males and females. Photo.
Photo 27 by: Curtis Smalling

Comment: McDowell; M, 2015-05-29, along US Hwy 221 at ball park; 35.81978; -82.01302
Photo 28 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt

Comment: Guilford, 2015-05-03, Northeast Park, Reedy Fork at ford. - Males perching near ford.
Photo 29 by: Salman Abdulali

Comment: Pitt, 2015-04-11, River Park North - female
Photo 30 by: Owen McConnell

Comment: Graham, 2014-06-23, Tulula Wetlands