NC Odonate Website

Related Species in GOMPHIDAE:

Number of records for 2025 = 1

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Southern Pygmy Clubtail (Lanthus vernalis) by Richard Stickney

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

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Map

Click on county for list of all its records for Southern Pygmy Clubtail

Flight Charts

Distribution

Throughout the mountains; known from nearly all counties in the province. Found in the South Mountains, in the western Piedmont, in 2022 (in northern Rutherford County). Despite the common name -- Southern (as opposed to the Northern, for Lanthus parvulus) -- this is an Appalachian and somewhat Northern species, ranging south only to the extreme northern mountains of GA.

Abundance

Fairly common and widespread. It is one of the more numerous of the clubtails in the NC mountains, even in the southernmost mountain counties.

Flight

Though both Dunkle (2000) and Beaton (2007) mention or graphically portray the early date as mid-May, many have been seen in NC earlier in the season. Perhaps global warming is moving the flight in NC earlier, but its flight in the state is now from mid-April to mid- or late July. The peak occurs from mid-May to early June.

Habitat

Typically breeds at small, rocky streams, often where shaded.

Behavior

Usually seen perched on vegetation, often well away from streams, but in wooded areas, such as along wide trails and dirt roads. Rather unwary and easily studied.

Comments

By early or mid-May, this can be a somewhat easily found dragonfly near streams and along dirt roads through bottomlands or along streams. It is one of the smaller clubtails, and it is somewhat slender as well. Interestingly, Dunkle (2000) calls the species "uncommon" across its range, and Beaton (2007) calls it "rare to locally uncommon" in its small northern Georgia range. Perhaps it is more common in NC than elsewhere within its range.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

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Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-10 11:01:58

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Southern Pygmy Clubtail 31 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: P Dixon, Jaq Reed, Sarah Noah Comment: Buncombe, 2025-01-29, Forks of Ivy, under I-26 bridge		Photo 2 by: P Dixon, Jeff Pippen Comment: Haywood, 2023-05-19, Harmen Den, Horse Camp meadows
	Photo 3 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Rutherford; M, 2022-04-17, One adult; Old CC Road in South Mountains Game Lands. Wings still soft as if just emerged. - I Adult; South Mountains Game Lands		Photo 4 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Rutherford; M, 2022-04-17, One adult; Old CC Road in South Mountains Game Lands. Wings still soft as if just emerged. - I Adult; South Mountains Game Lands
	Photo 5 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Rutherford; M, 2022-04-17, One adult; Old CC Road in South Mountains Game Lands. Wings still soft as if just emerged. - I Adult; South Mountains Game Lands		Photo 6 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Rutherford; M, 2022-04-17, One adult male; Old CC Road in South Mountains Game Lands. Wings still soft as if just emerged. Near stream. Found on vegetation. Apparently first County record, and first for the South Mountains.
	Photo 7 by: Lynn Swafford Comment: Transylvania, 2021-06-13, Near the Upper Falls of Graveyard Fields in Pisgah National Forest		Photo 8 by: David Benterou Comment: Haywood, 2021-05-17, GSMNP near confluence of Caldwell Fork and Den Branch along Cataloochee Horse Trail. iNaturalist record #85975893 - Female.
	Photo 9 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Graham, 2021-05-08, On nylon cord of a swing on porch of cabin next to West Buffalo Creek		Photo 10 by: Doug Allen Comment: Polk; M, 2021-04-27, Tryon/White Oak mountain - near mountain stream
	Photo 11 by: Ken Kneidel Comment: Yancey, 2020-05-17, near South Toe River, Burnsville		Photo 12 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-04-17, Hot Springs area
	Photo 13 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-04-17, Hot Springs area		Photo 14 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-04-17, Hot Springs area
	Photo 15 by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka and party. Comment: Avery, 2019-05-21, Pond on private property that adjoins the Blue Ridge Parkway in southern Avery County. - 1 male, 1 female.		Photo 16 by: Richard Stickney Comment: Alleghany, 2017-05-29, Little Glade Pond on Blue Ridge Parkway
	Photo 17 by: Richard Stickney Comment: Alleghany, 2017-05-29, Little Glade Pond on Blue Ridge Parkway		Photo 18 by: Jason Love Comment: Macon, 2016-05-01, Found at Tessentee Bottomland Preserve - Female
	Photo 19 by: Lori Williams Comment: Henderson, 2015-06-05, on arm of deck chair at my residence in Fletcher		Photo 20 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Graham, 2015-05-02, old logging road near FS 81 bridge over Big Santeetlah Creek
	Photo 21 by: Bob Cherry Comment: Jackson, 2012-07-16, Blue Ridge Parkway		Photo 22 by: Tim Martin Comment: Swain, 2012-05-10, Below footbridge over Oconaluftee River that begins the Kephart Prong Trail, located off of Newfound Gap Road, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, elevation ca. 3000 feet. From Martin's Flickr page. - 1 male, 1 female. Photo is of female.
	Photo 23 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Gail Lankford, Janie Owen Comment: Madison, 2012-04-28, Max Patch, Pisgah National Forest - female		Photo 24 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Gail Lankford, Janie Owen Comment: Madison, 2012-04-28, Max Patch, Pisgah National Forest - female
	Photo 25 by: Doug Johnston, Vin Stanton Comment: Madison, 2012-04-12		Photo 26 by: Doug Johnston Comment: Yancey, 2010-05-23, Mt. Mitchell area
	Photo 27 by: Jeffrey Pippen - Jeff's website Comment: Graham, 2006-04-28		Photo 28 by: Will Cook - Will's website Comment: Clay, 2005-05-22
	Photo 29 by: Will Cook - Will's website Comment: Clay, 2005-05-22		Photo 30 by: Jeffrey Pippen - Jeff's website Comment: Buncombe, 2004-06-26