NC Odonate Website

Related Species in GOMPHIDAE:		Number of records for 2024 = 0
Added in 2024 from a previous year = 1 (2023-12-18)

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
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Black-shouldered Spinyleg (Dromogomphus spinosus) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Riverine Clubtail Dragonhunter
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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 Black-shouldered Spinyleg

Flight Charts

Distribution

Nearly statewide, though seemingly absent from the easternmost counties (no records east of Gates, Bertie, Beaufort, and Jones counties). Three mountain counties also lack records, though it is certainly present in all counties in that province.

Abundance

Fairly common to locally common over the Piedmont; fairly common in the southern Coastal Plain, and uncommon in the mountains. Much less numerous in the central and northern Coastal Plain, and seemingly absent in the far eastern counties. This is one of the more numerous of the clubtails in the state, particularly in the Piedmont.

Flight

Fairly wide spread of flight dates for a clubtail -- early May to early October in the Piedmont. Probably the same flight period in the Coastal Plain, though dates only span from mid-May to mid-September. The mountain flight occurs from mid-May to early October.

Habitat

Widespread choice of breeding habitats, from rivers and streams, to less often lakes and ponds. More tolerant of disturbed habitats than most clubtails, but tends to favor shaded or partly shaded bodies of water as opposed to open and sunny wetlands.

Behavior

One of the more conspicuous or easily seen clubtails in NC (along with Lancet and Ashy clubtails). Adults frequently perch flat on the ground on sunny trails, dirt roads, rocks by water, or vegetation, where they can be easily studied. One does not have to head for a pond, large creek, or river to see this species -- though your chances are better along a creek or small river than in uplands or far from such waters.

Comments

This is a large and striking dragonfly. Immatures and adult females have conspicuous yellow sides to the thorax, whereas the adult males are more lime green on the sides of the thorax. The very thick black "shoulders" at the front of the thorax are clinching marks. Also, as the common name indicates, the spinylegs indeed have spiny projections on the very long pair of hind legs.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-09 15:40:55

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Black-shouldered Spinyleg 55 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2023-12-18, Hot Springs area, French Broad		Photo 2 by: Robert Gilson and Chris Talkington Comment: Rutherford; M, 2023-06-12, South Mountain Gameland - Old CC Road
	Photo 3 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Graham, 2022-07-23, FS 81 at Santeetlah Creek bridge - Just caught a moth		Photo 4 by: Paul Hart Comment: Harnett; C, 2022-06-10, Cape Fear Shiner County Park
	Photo 5 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2021-06-27, Hot Springs area		Photo 6 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-06-20
	Photo 7 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-06-12, - Killed an Ebony Jewelwing after I took the picture		Photo 8 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2019-06-28, Black River, from Hunts Bluff Boating Access Area to 5km upstream and back, by kayak
	Photo 9 by: R. Emmitt Comment: Durham, 2019-06-13, Eno River State Park down stream of Cole Mill Rd		Photo 10 by: Mike Turner Comment: Montgomery, 2018-08-25, Uwharrie River @ Low Water Bridge
	Photo 11 by: Richard Stickney Comment: Yadkin, 2018-08-06, Yadkin River at NC 67		Photo 12 by: Mike Turner Comment: Wilkes; P, 2018-07-21, W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir; from dam to ~1000' downstream
	Photo 13 by: Mike Turner Comment: Yadkin, 2018-07-20, Pilot Mountain State Park - Yadkin River section		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields Comment: Robeson, 2018-07-15, Lumber River, from Fair Bluff Boating Access Area to South Carolina line, by kayak
	Photo 15 by: John Petranka and party. Comment: Davidson, 2018-07-14, Lexington. Pond at Finch Park and along Abbotts Creek where noted. - Males at Abbotts Creek.		Photo 16 by: Mike Turner Comment: Surry, 2018-07-11, Yadkin River @ Crater Park; Elkin
	Photo 17 by: Richard Stickney Comment: Pender, 2018-07-09, Holly Shelter boat launch off Shaw Highway - unusually dark male		Photo 18 by: Mike Turner Comment: Davie, 2018-07-07, Bullhole River Park
	Photo 19 by: Mike Turner Comment: Rowan, 2018-07-07, Bullhole River Park		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields Comment: Scotland, 2018-07-06, Lumber River State Park (LURI) - Chalk Banks Access
	Photo 21 by: Mark Shields Comment: Anson, 2018-07-06, Pee Dee River; 2 km stretch upstream from Diggs Tract Access, by kayak		Photo 22 by: Mark Shields Comment: Richmond; C, 2018-07-06, Pee Dee River; 2 km stretch upstream from Diggs Tract Access, by kayak
	Photo 23 by: Mike Turner Comment: Forsyth, 2018-07-02, Tanglewood Park		Photo 24 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-25, Lake Glenville at Powerhouse Access Area - First record for county.
	Photo 25 by: Vin Stanton, Janie Owens, Gail Lankford Comment: Madison, 2017-09-19, River Road, north of Hot Springs; 35.92085°, -82.87313° .- Female		Photo 26 by: Vin Stanton, Janie Owens, Gail Lankford Comment: Madison, 2017-09-19, River Road, north of Hot Springs; 35.92085° -82.87313° - Female
	Photo 27 by: Mark Shields Comment: Bladen, 2017-07-30, Cape Fear River at Lock and Dam #1		Photo 28 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Harnett; P, 2017-07-29, Raven Rock State Park- Campbell Creek
	Photo 29 by: Mark Shields Comment: Harnett; C, 2017-07-21, Cape Fear River, Erwin. From NC 217 bridge to 2 km upstream, by kayak.		Photo 30 by: John Petranka Comment: Onslow, 2017-07-09, Cow Horn Creek at Cow Horn Road east of Richland. Access point for New River Paddle Trail. - Male.