NC Odonate Website

Related Species in GOMPHIDAE:		Number of records for 2025 = 3
Added in 2025-00-00 from a previous year = 1 (2024-04-01)

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Spine-crowned Clubtail (Hylogomphus abbreviatus) by John Petranka

Compare with: Banner Clubtail Piedmont 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 Spine-crowned Clubtail

Flight Charts

Distribution

Found only in the central and eastern Piedmont and the extreme southwestern corner of the Coastal Plain (at least in the Sandhills).

Abundance

Rare to uncommon in the eastern half of the Piedmont, and very rare in the southwestern Coastal Plain. However, it is easily overlooked or confused with other species. It can be common at a very few sites, as there are three recent double-digit counts, and another of 8 individuals, in three counties. Duncan Cuyler made several dozen collections in the lower Piedmont a few decades ago; but until about 2016, however, very little was known about this species in NC. Thankfully, the past few years have seen quite a few new records, many documented by photographs. The recent spate of photographic records for the northeastern Piedmont, as opposed to the central and southern Piedmont, might be due to the preponderance of observers in that part of the province.

Flight

Spring season only. The flight occurs from early April to early June, though there was a late March record in 2020. The peak was formerly during the first 20 days of May, but there are many recent April records, and our three highest counts are now in April.

Habitat

This is another riverine clubtail species, favoring fast-flowing rivers and large streams.

See also Habitat Account for Piedmont and General Rocky Rivers

Behavior

Seen mainly at or near rivers/streams, on rocks or vegetation. Dunkle (2000) states that males are most active in the late afternoon, though it certainly can be seen in the morning or early afternoon.

Comments

As with most clubtails, even ones with a range in the eastern Piedmont (where the greatest number of odonate biologists live and conduct field work), this is a somewhat poorly known species, at least by observers and photographers. Most clubtails are difficult to identify unless netted or closely photographed (from several angles). This species looks quite similar to the Piedmont Clubtail, and it can also be confused with Banner Clubtail. Though its range extends from SC northward into Canada, it has a somewhat narrow east-west range, barely ranging west to OH. We have had a number of recent records, thankfully, and thus its range and abundance in NC are becoming better known. Nonetheless, the species remains on the N.C. Natural Heritage Program's Watch List.

State Rank

S3S4

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Gomphus abbreviatus

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-10 10:18:40

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Spine-crowned Clubtail 36 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Jeffrey Pippen Comment: Orange, 2025-04-30, Fews Ford, ENRI		Photo 2 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Montgomery, 2024-04-20, Uwharrie River - at least two males, one female
	Photo 3 by: Jeff Niznik Comment: Chatham, 2024-04-01, White Pines Nature Preserve, iNaturalist #206735537 - Male		Photo 4 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Guilford, 2023-04-21, Haw River--Guilford Co. section
	Photo 5 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2023-04-12, Panther Branch Natural Area near Efland, above West Fork of Eno River in powerline clearing. - 1 male, 1 female, both tenerals		Photo 6 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2023-04-02, Hollow Rock Nature Park, West of Pickett Rd., Meadow. NHCBP - Teneral males
	Photo 7 by: Mark Shields Comment: Montgomery, 2021-04-30, Uwharrie River at Low Water Bridge		Photo 8 by: John Petranka Comment: Granville, 2021-04-28, Tar River at Wilton Slopes - Male
	Photo 9 by: Harry LeGrand, Lori Arent Comment: Durham, 2021-04-26, Hill Forest - at Flat River, next to bridge. Photo by Lori Arent		Photo 10 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Chatham, 2021-04-11, Haw River upstream of the Bynum Dam flatwater
	Photo 11 by: Jan Hansen Comment: Chatham, 2021-04-07, White Pines Preserve - Teneral along the river trail		Photo 12 by: Leah Purvis Comment: Chatham, 2020-04-03, Lower Haw River State Natural Area. Along Lower Haw River Trail about 0.5 miles downstream from Bynum trailhead. Lat: 35.766 Long: -79.135 - Male.
	Photo 13 by: Will Bennett Comment: Durham, 2020-03-28, Along the Eno River at Penny's Bend Nature Preserve. - Male.		Photo 14 by: John Petranka Comment: Caswell, 2019-04-30, NC 62 at Country Line Creek. About 1.2 miles south of Main Street in Yanceyville. - Males.
	Photo 15 by: John Petranka Comment: Caswell, 2019-04-30, NC 62 at Country Line Creek. About 1.2 miles south of Main Street in Yanceyville. - Males.		Photo 16 by: John Petranka Comment: Caswell, 2019-04-30, NC 62 at Country Line Creek. About 1.2 miles south of Main Street in Yanceyville. - Males.
	Photo 17 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2018-05-11, Eno River, Eno River State Park - Pleasant Green Access. - Male.		Photo 18 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2018-05-11, Eno River, Eno River State Park - Pleasant Green Access. - Male.
	Photo 19 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2018-05-11, Eno River, Eno River SP Pleasant Green Access. - Male.		Photo 20 by: Mike Turner Comment: Alamance, 2018-04-14, Haw River @ NC 54, Graham Paddle Access - tenerals; 2 male & 4 female netted, ID'd and released; 8 other unid. tenerals flying around resembling Spine-crowned, 35 Hylogomphus sp. exuvia along about 500 feet of river bank
	Photo 21 by: Mike Turner Comment: Alamance, 2018-04-12, Haw River @ NC 54, Graham Paddle Access - teneral female; netted, photographed and released		Photo 22 by: Mike Turner Comment: Alamance, 2018-04-12, Haw River @ NC 54, Graham Paddle Access - teneral female; netted, photographed and released
	Photo 23 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Davie, 2017-06-02, South Yadkin River at Bullhole River Park, Cooleemee. - Female. Found dead below the dam. First photo shows lateral view and macros show the short spines at the base of the occiput and short basal plate.		Photo 24 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Davie, 2017-06-02, South Yadkin River at Bullhole River Park, Cooleemee. - Female. Found dead below the dam. First photo shows lateral view and macros show the short spines at the base of the occiput and short basal plate.
	Photo 25 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Alamance, 2017-04-15, - Several males seen/photographed along Haw River at Swepsonville River Park		Photo 26 by: John Petranka Comment: Durham, 2017-04-03, Eno River State Park, Cole Mill section. Along the powerline corridor between Old Cole Mill Road and Bobbit Hole area. - Both sexes. Female photographed. Females can be difficult to separate from other Hylogomphus species, so macros are included showing the diagnostic short basal plate and the short spines at the base of the occiput.
	Photo 27 by: John Petranka Comment: Durham, 2017-04-03, Eno River State Park, Cole Mill section. Along the powerline corridor between Old Cole Mill Road and Bobbit Hole area. - Both sexes. Female photographed. Females can be difficult to separate from other Hylogomphus species, so macros are included showing the diagnostic short basal plate and the short spines at the base of the occiput.		Photo 28 by: John Petranka Comment: Durham, 2016-04-11, Eno River State Park Cole Mill section along Cole Mill Trail near county line. Female. No males seen. Photo.
	Photo 29 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2016-04-10, Eno River State Park Cole Mill section along Bobbit Hole Trail. 2 females, no males seen. Photo.		Photo 30 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.