The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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North Carolina's 189 Odonate species
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Related Species in GOMPHIDAE: Number of records for 2023 = 19

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[View PDF]		Ashy Clubtail (Phanogomphus lividus) by John Petranka
Compare with: Lancet 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 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   48 photos are available.
Only the most recent 30 are shown.
Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: G. McGrane

Comment: Watauga, 2023-05-24, At Angel Stair wetland Boone Greenway - Female		Photo 2 by: John Petranka

Comment: Orange, 2023-04-02, Hollow Rock Nature Park, Pickett Road Edges, Orange County, NHCBP - Female
Photo 3 by: B. Bockhahn

Comment: Stokes, 2022-05-04, Hanging Rock State Park		Photo 4 by: B. Bockhahn

Comment: Catawba, 2022-04-16, Wilderness Gateway State Trail - Jacob Fork East
Photo 5 by: Matt Spangler

Comment: Orange, 2022-04-02, Occoneechee Mountain SNA		Photo 6 by: Paul Hart

Comment: Harnett; C, 2022-03-20, Cape Fear Shiner Park
Photo 7 by: Kevin Metcalf

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2021-05-13, - Latta Nature Preserve - power line ROW		Photo 8 by: John Petranka

Comment: Alamance, 2021-05-21, Sunny patches on upland trails near the Haw River at Shallow Ford Natural Area. - Male.
Photo 9 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-04-20, Hot Springs area 		Photo 10 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-04-20, Hot Springs area
Photo 11 by: Jan Hansen

Comment: Orange, 2020-04-04, Power line cut parallel to Morgan Creek near Mason Farm		Photo 12 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

Comment: Cumberland, 2020-03-19, Carvers Creek State Park (CACR) - Sandhills Access - male
Photo 13 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 14 by: John Petranka

Comment: Avery, 2019-05-21, Linville River at Linville Falls Picnic Area, Blue Ridge Parkway mile marker 316.5 - Male.
Photo 15 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

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

Comment: Polk; M, 2019-05-13, Green River Game Land at Fishtop Access
Photo 17 by: Aaron Edmonds

Comment: Harnett; C, 2019-04-06, Campbell University- Marshbanks Property		Photo 18 by: Aaron Edmonds

Comment: Harnett; C, 2019-04-06, Campbell University- Marshbanks Property
Photo 19 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Brunswick, 2019-03-30, Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve, Winnabow		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Jones, 2017-04-11, Weetock Trail near Haywood Landing, Croatan National Forest
Photo 21 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Onslow, 2017-03-29, my property, Holly Ridge - female. Inset photo shows subgenital plate.		Photo 22 by: John Petranka

Comment: Watauga, 2016-05-12, New River at Green Valley Community Park near Todd. Male.
Photo 23 by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka

Comment: Caldwell, 2016-05-10, Wilson Creek at confluence with Harper Creek. Males and females. Photo.		Photo 24 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 25 by: Curtis Smalling

Comment: McDowell; M, 2015-05-29, along US Hwy 221 at ball park; 35.81978; -82.01302		Photo 26 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt

Comment: Guilford, 2015-05-03, Northeast Park, Reedy Fork at ford. - Males perching near ford.
Photo 27 by: Salman Abdulali

Comment: Pitt, 2015-04-11, River Park North - female		Photo 28 by: Owen McConnell

Comment: Graham, 2014-06-23, Tulula Wetlands
Photo 29 by: Owen McConnell

Comment: Cherokee, 2014-06-20, near the Campbell Folk School		Photo 30 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt

Comment: Halifax; P, 2014-05-03, Medoc Mountain State Park; MEMO - Males and Females