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Related Species in CORDULIIDAE:

Number of records for 2025 = 0

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Uhler's Sundragon (Helocordulia uhleri) by John Petranka

Compare with: Selys's Sundragon
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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 Uhler's Sundragon

Flight Charts

Distribution

Scattered over the mountains and Piedmont, with an apparently real gap (or certainly "scarcity") in the west-central portions of the Piedmont. Might well occur in all counties in the two provinces, as it ranges east to Halifax, Wake, Harnett, and Scotland counties. Probably occurs on very rare occasions in the Sandhills portion of the Coastal Plain. There are fewer observers in the western and central Piedmont than in the eastern Piedmont, but one cannot escape the fact that the species seems to have a bimodal range in the state. A photo in 2021 added Madison County to the "slow-growing" state list of counties.

Abundance

Declining in recent years, with shockingly no records in 2018, 2019, or 2020. Less numerous in NC than Selys's Sundragon in most counties where both occur (i.e., the eastern Piedmont). Rare to very uncommon in the eastern third of the Piedmont, but seemingly quite rare westward, with most records in the western part of the state lying close to the Blue Ridge escarpment. The gap of records in the west-central Piedmont is bizarre and suggests that the species must be very rare there, but as there are many records from the foothills and from the eastern Piedmont, it certainly ought to be present in all Piedmont counties.

Flight

Somewhat similar to Selys's Sundragon, though occurring later into early summer. In the Piedmont, from very late March or early April to late June, but scarce after early May. Dates in the mountains fall between mid-April and late June, and the single Coastal Plain record is for mid-April.

Habitat

Creeks and slower-flowing rivers, in shaded or semi-shaded forested areas. Apparently in slightly larger bodies of water than for Selys's, but habitat certainly overlaps.

Behavior

Males patrol territories over creeks and rivers, but fly longer and faster patrols than does Selys's. Adults are like most baskettails and Selys's Sundragon in foraging well away from water along trails and roads, usually perching low on twigs for easy observation and photographs.

Comments

Though this species has a wider, more Northern, range than does Selys's, it is the less common of the two in NC, though active observers in the eastern Piedmont might see one or two Uhler's each spring. The two sundragons are quite similar in appearance, with Uhler's having a small amber spot (lacking in Selys's) at the base of each wing; these spots can be difficult to see in the field, but good, close photographs show the mark well. As a result of very few recent records, the editors suggest a revised State Rank from S3S4 up to now S3 -- though not quite worthy of being added to the Watch List.

State Rank

S3S4 [S3]

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-16 09:08:17

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Uhler's Sundragon 20 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Zane Fish Comment: Orange, 2024-03-25, Duke Forest, along New Hope Creek		Photo 2 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Macon, 2023-05-13, Cullasaja River near Van Hook Glade Campground
	Photo 3 by: Max Ramey Comment: Burke; P, 2023-04-12, Lake James SP - Paddys Creek - A couple 100 ft upstream from where Paddy Creek empties into the lake.		Photo 4 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2023-04-02, Hollow Rock Nature Park, West of Pickett Rd., Meadow. NHCBP - Female
	Photo 5 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Yancey, 2022-06-19, Two seen, one male netted, photographed, and released unharmed - Cane Creek, south of Burnsville		Photo 6 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Yancey, 2022-06-19, Two seen, one male netted, photographed, and released unharmed - Cane Creek, south of Burnsville
	Photo 7 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Yancey, 2022-06-19, Two seen, one male netted, photographed, and released unharmed - Cane Creek, south of Burnsville		Photo 8 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2022-04-02, NHCBS, Hollow Rock Nature Park, Pickett Road Edges
	Photo 9 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2022-04-02, NHCBS, Hollow Rock Nature Park, Pickett Road Edges		Photo 10 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2021-04-12, Hot Springs area
	Photo 11 by: Mark Swanson Comment: Avery, 2017-04-26, - Female photographed near Linville River, Gill State Forest.		Photo 12 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2016-04-07, New Hope Creek in Duke Forest just upstream from Old Erwin Road. Male. Photo.
	Photo 13 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Graham, 2015-04-27, old logging road near FS 81 bridge over Big Santeetlah Creek		Photo 14 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Graham, 2015-04-27, old logging road near FS 81 bridge over Big Santeetlah Creek
	Photo 15 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Haywood, 2013-04-20, Cold Creek near I-40 - Male & Female		Photo 16 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Gail Lankford, Janie Owen Comment: Haywood, 2012-04-28, Found along Cold Creek, Pisgah National Forest - Male & Female
	Photo 17 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Gail Lankford, Janie Owen Comment: Haywood, 2012-04-28, Found along Cold Creek, Pisgah Forest - Male & Female		Photo 18 by: Dorothy E. Pugh Comment: Orange, 2011-04-06. Seen at Johnston Mill Nature Preserve
	Photo 19 by: Ricky Davis Comment: Halifax, 2010-04-11, - Medoc Mountain State Park		Photo 20 by: Ricky Davis Comment: Halifax, 2010-04-11, Medoc Mountain State Park