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Stylurus spiniceps
Arrow Clubtail

(Walsh, 1862)
Gomphidae, Clubtail Family
photo of Male arrow clubtail
Male arrow clubtail — Kurt Huebner
Status-Global/State:
Global: G5 Wisconsin: S4
Distinguishing Characteristics:
The males of most of the "hanging" clubtails (genus Stylurus) have long, slender abdomens. When perched on leaves, the bodies are pulled down by their weight, creating the appearance of "hanging" clubtails. The arrow clubtail is black marked with green-yellow. The thorax has very wide black stripes, often fused creating yellow shoulder stripes. The face and legs are black. The length of the body varies from 2.2 to 2.7 inches. The abdomen is black with small yellow spots and at the end, lower sides edged with yellow. The arrow clubtail is recognizable by its very elongated abdomen. The segment just before the tip of the abdomen (segment 9) is longer than other clubtails.
Description of Habitat/Range:
Common throughout eastern United States, from Tennessee to southeast Canada, arrow clubtails can be found at sand-bottomed large rivers, rarely streams or lakes. It is widespread throughout Wisconsin, although not necessarily in abundant numbers.
Flight Season:
Late June to mid-August in Wisconsin.
(Click on photos to enlarge)
photo of Male arrow clubtail
Male arrow clubtail — Kurt Huebner
photo of Male arrow clubtail
Male arrow clubtail — Dan Jackson
photo of Teneral male arrow clubtail
Teneral male arrow clubtail — Dan Jackson
photo of Close-up of male arrow clubtail thorax
Close-up of male arrow clubtail thorax — Dan Jackson
photo of Close-up of male arrow clubtail face
Close-up of male arrow clubtail face — Dan Jackson
photo of Side (top image) and top view of male arrow clubtail cerci
Side (top image) and top view of male arrow clubtail cerci — Dan Jackson
photo of Female arrow clubtail
Female arrow clubtail — Dan Jackson
photo of Female arrow clubtail
Female arrow clubtail — Dan Jackson
photo of Arrow clubtail emerging from exuviae
Arrow clubtail emerging from exuviae — Dan Jackson
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