NC Odonate Website

Related Species in GOMPHIDAE:

Number of records for 2025 = 4

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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

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Gomphus lividus

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-10 12:40:32

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Ashy Clubtail 53 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Al Hooks Comment: , 2025-05-16, - Near Campbell Folk School along a path near creek		Photo 2 by: John Petranka Comment: Chatham, 2025-04-04, White Pines Nature Preserve. Found along the White Pines and River Trails. - Male
	Photo 3 by: P Dixon Comment: Yancey, 2023-10-28, Cane River at the Whittington Rd Bridge, iNat observation 189525471		Photo 4 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2023-10-14, Spring Creek, in Hot Springs, iNat 187847167
	Photo 5 by: G. McGrane Comment: Watauga, 2023-05-24, At Angel Stair wetland Boone Greenway - Female		Photo 6 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2023-04-18, Pond 2 miles SE of Clarkton, NC - 12:13PM in grassy area by pond
	Photo 7 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2023-04-02, Hollow Rock Nature Park, Pickett Road Edges, Orange County, NHCBP - Female		Photo 8 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Stokes, 2022-05-04, Hanging Rock State Park
	Photo 9 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Catawba, 2022-04-16, Wilderness Gateway State Trail - Jacob Fork East		Photo 10 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Orange, 2022-04-02, Occoneechee Mountain SNA
	Photo 11 by: Paul Hart Comment: Harnett; C, 2022-03-20, Cape Fear Shiner Park		Photo 12 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Mecklenburg, 2021-05-13, - Latta Nature Preserve - power line ROW
	Photo 13 by: John Petranka Comment: Alamance, 2021-05-21, Sunny patches on upland trails near the Haw River at Shallow Ford Natural Area. - Male.		Photo 14 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-04-20, Hot Springs area
	Photo 15 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-04-20, Hot Springs area		Photo 16 by: Jan Hansen Comment: Orange, 2020-04-04, Power line cut parallel to Morgan Creek near Mason Farm
	Photo 17 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Cumberland, 2020-03-19, Carvers Creek State Park (CACR) - Sandhills Access - male		Photo 18 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 19 by: John Petranka Comment: Avery, 2019-05-21, Linville River at Linville Falls Picnic Area, Blue Ridge Parkway mile marker 316.5 - Male.		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Mitchell, 2019-05-16, Nolichucky River at Poplar Access Area.
	Photo 21 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Polk; M, 2019-05-13, Green River Game Land at Fishtop Access		Photo 22 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2019-04-06, Campbell University- Marshbanks Property
	Photo 23 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2019-04-06, Campbell University- Marshbanks Property		Photo 24 by: Mark Shields Comment: Brunswick, 2019-03-30, Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve, Winnabow
	Photo 25 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jones, 2017-04-11, Weetock Trail near Haywood Landing, Croatan National Forest		Photo 26 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2017-03-29, my property, Holly Ridge - female. Inset photo shows subgenital plate.
	Photo 27 by: John Petranka Comment: Watauga, 2016-05-12, New River at Green Valley Community Park near Todd. Male.		Photo 28 by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka Comment: Caldwell, 2016-05-10, Wilson Creek at confluence with Harper Creek. Males and females. Photo.
	Photo 29 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 30 by: Curtis Smalling Comment: McDowell; M, 2015-05-29, along US Hwy 221 at ball park; 35.81978; -82.01302