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Ophiogomphus howei
Pygmy Snaketail

Bromley, 1924
Gomphidae, Clubtail Family
photo of Male pygmy snaketail
Male pygmy snaketail — Dan Jackson
Status-Global/State:
Global: G3 Wisconsin: S4
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Very small for snaketails, the pygmy snaketail is about 1.2 to 1.3 inches long. Stocky, the thorax is olive-green with brown stripes. The abdomen is black with bright yellow markings. There is a yellowish orange tint at base of hindwings. The eyes are green and legs are black.
Description of Habitat/Range:
This is an uncommon species that is known to be found in Wisconsin and along the east coast from West Virginia to Maine, especially along Appalachian Mountains. Pygmy snaketails like clean big rivers with clear, fast-moving water and gravel/sand bottoms. They are rarely found in small rivers. It also seems that they cannot breed below dams due to the altered habitat conditions. In Wisconsin, it has been infrequently found in northern counties.
Flight Season:
Late May to early July in Wisconsin.
(Click on photos to enlarge)
photo of Male pygmy snaketail
Male pygmy snaketail — Dan Jackson
photo of Male pygmy snaketail
Male pygmy snaketail — Dan Jackson
photo of Close-up of male pygmy snaketail thorax
Close-up of male pygmy snaketail thorax — Dan Jackson
photo of Close-up of male pygmy snaketail face
Close-up of male pygmy snaketail face — Dan Jackson
photo of Side (top image) and top view of male pygmy snaketail cerci
Side (top image) and top view of male pygmy snaketail cerci — Dan Jackson
photo of Female pygmy snaketail
Female pygmy snaketail — Dan Jackson
photo of Female pygmy snaketail
Female pygmy snaketail — Dan Jackson
photo of Female pygmy snaketail
Female pygmy snaketail — Dan Jackson
photo of Female pygmy snaketail abdomen tip
Female pygmy snaketail abdomen tip — Dan Jackson
photo of Emerging teneral pygmy snaketail
Emerging teneral pygmy snaketail — Dan Jackson
photo of Pygmy snaketail nymph
Pygmy snaketail nymph — Dan Jackson
photo of Male and female pygmy snaketails
Male and female pygmy snaketails — Dennis Paulson
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