NC Odonate Website

Related Species in GOMPHIDAE:

Number of records for 2025 = 0

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Southeastern Spinyleg (Dromogomphus armatus) by John Petranka, Sally Gewalt

Compare with: Flag-tailed Spinyleg Russet-tipped Clubtail Two-striped Forceptail
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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 Southeastern Spinyleg

Flight Charts

Distribution

Limited in NC to the Sandhills and the southern Coastal Plain, mostly near the SC border. NC lies at the northern edge of the species' range.

Abundance

Uncommon in the Sandhills; less numerous -- rare to very uncommon -- in the Coastal Plain farther southeastward to the Black River (western Pender County). Surprisingly, all daily counts are just of one to two individuals. It is remarkable that after 50 or more years of odonate field work in the state, no one had found three or more in a day, until Lucas Wilson saw at least four in Richmond County on a day in June 2024! The species simply does not occur in groups, much less in swarms; once you've seen one on a walk, that is likely it for the day!

Flight

Summer into early fall. Records occur between early June and mid-October; however, most are from late July to late September.

Habitat

Breeds in rather acidic waters of seeps, springs, small streams, etc., mainly in or near forested habitats. Presumably uses pocosin streamheads in the Sandhills. A few records of adults are from along blackwater rivers and streams, though breeding sites are most likely at small pools, seeps, and other tiny and shaded wetlands.

Behavior

Can be seen flying along roads, trails, or brushy areas near wetlands; rarely over water of rivers and larger creeks. Perches frequently, both on the ground and on vegetation.

Comments

This is one of the Sandhills' most spectacular odonates. Adults are large, and the bright rusty-orange club easily draws attention. Though a handful of other clubtails flying at that season have rusty-orange clubs (such as Russet-tipped Clubtail and Two-striped Forceptail), they typically are restricted to water and seldom perch on sand roads and other places well away from water.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

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Species account update: LeGrand on 2024-06-07 14:46:56

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Southeastern Spinyleg 20 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Moore; C, 2024-06-11, Weymouth Woods State Natural Area		Photo 2 by: Lucas Wilson Comment: Richmond; C, 2024-06-07, - Bagget Lake Lane, 1 mile north of Lake Bagget. Male.
	Photo 3 by: Harry LeGrand, Lori Arent Comment: Richmond; C, 2022-08-17, Sandhills Game Land -- Bagget Lake area - being eaten by a Dragonhunter! Photo by Lori White		Photo 4 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Cumberland, 2021-06-09,
	Photo 5 by: Richard Stickney Comment: Richmond; C, 2020-07-26, Lake Bagget and stream outflow		Photo 6 by: Richard Stickney Comment: Richmond; C, 2020-07-26, Lake Bagget and stream outflow
	Photo 7 by: Will Stuart Comment: Richmond; C, 2020-07-10, Sandhills Game Land in a shrubby stream margin near Bagget Lake - Note the turquoise-color eyes		Photo 8 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Bladen, 2019-09-28, Black River between Three Sisters Swamp and the NC 53/11 bridge.
	Photo 9 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Pender, 2019-09-28, Black River between Three Sisters Swamp and the 53/11 bridge.		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields Comment: Scotland, 2018-09-03, Scotland Lake, Sandhills Game Land - female
	Photo 11 by: Richard Stickney Comment: Moore; C, 2017-06-11, Weymouth Woods; beats my state early record set last year		Photo 12 by: Mark Shields Comment: Robeson, 2016-08-27, 1 male landed on companion's hand while we were kayaking, Lumber River, between Boardman Boating Access and Lumber River State Park - Princess Ann Access
	Photo 13 by: Mark Shields Comment: Columbus, 2016-08-27, 1 male landed on companion's hand while we were kayaking, Lumber River, between Boardman Boating Access and Lumber River State Park Princess Ann Access		Photo 14 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Richmond; C, 2016-08-06, Gibson Pond (= Cuyler
	Photo 15 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Richmond; C, 2016-08-06, Gibson Pond (= Cuyler		Photo 16 by: Richard Stickney Comment: Moore; C, 2016-06-13, Sandhills Community College
	Photo 17 by: Scott Hartley Comment: Moore; C, 2007-08-08		Photo 18 by: R Emmitt Comment: Richmond; C, 2004-07-24; perched near a pond
	Photo 19 by: R Emmitt Comment: Richmond; C, 2004-07-24, perched near a pond		Photo 20 by: Scott Hartley Comment: Moore; C, 2006-08-26; Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve