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Gomphurus fraternus
Midland Clubtail

(Say, 1839)
Gomphidae, Clubtail Family
photo of Male midland clubtail
Male midland clubtail — Dan Jackson
Status-Global/State:
Global: G5 Wisconsin: S4
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Varying in length from 1.9 to 2.2 inches, this green-yellow dragonfly has black thoracic stripes. The abdomen is mostly black with green-yellow dorsal stripes and edges of the club in yellow. The legs are black for males, the hind thighs of females might have pale lateral stripes. The eyes are gray-green. Midland clubtails, on the northern edge of its range, may have more yellow, especially at the end of abdomen and yellow shins. Clubtail species are very similar to each other in some aspects, careful inspection is needed to identify them.
Description of Habitat/Range:
Ranging throughout northeastern United States and southeastern Canada, midland clubtails can be found at moderately to rapidly flowing rivers, large streams with clay or fine sand bottoms, and large lakes with emergent vegetation. It is found throughout Wisconsin but not necessarily in abundant numbers.
Flight Season:
Late May to early August in Wisconsin.
(Click on photos to enlarge)
photo of Male midland clubtail
Male midland clubtail — Dan Jackson
photo of Male midland clubtail
Male midland clubtail — Dan Jackson
photo of Male midland clubtail
Male midland clubtail — Dan Jackson
photo of Immature male midland clubtail
Immature male midland clubtail — Dan Jackson
photo of Teneral male midland clubtail
Teneral male midland clubtail — Dan Jackson
photo of Close-up of male midland clubtail face
Close-up of male midland clubtail face — Dan Jackson
photo of Close-up of male midland clubtail thorax
Close-up of male midland clubtail thorax — Dan Jackson
photo of Side (top image) and top view of male midland clubtail cerci
Side (top image) and top view of male midland clubtail cerci — Dan Jackson
photo of More heavily marked variation of male midland clubtail cerci
More heavily marked variation of male midland clubtail cerci — Dan Jackson
photo of Female midland clubtail
Female midland clubtail — Dan Jackson
photo of Immature female midland clubtail
Immature female midland clubtail — Dan Jackson
photo of Close-up of female midland clubtail face
Close-up of female midland clubtail face — Dan Jackson
photo of Close-up of female midland clubtail thorax
Close-up of female midland clubtail thorax — Dan Jackson
photo of Side (top image) and bottom view of female midland clubtail abdomen tip
Side (top image) and bottom view of female midland clubtail abdomen tip — Dan Jackson
photo of Midland clubtail pair
Midland clubtail pair — Dan Jackson
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