Wisconsin Odonata Survey: Gomphurus lineatifrons

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Gomphurus lineatifrons (Calvert, 1921)
Splendid Clubtail

Gomphidae, Clubtail Family

Status-Global/State:

Global: G4 Wisconsin: S3

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The splendid clubtail has a club at end of the black abdomen that seems small compared to other clubtails. The club has large yellow lateral spots. Length of the body varying from 2.6 to 2.7 inches making this the largest Gomphurus in Wisconsin. This yellow-green dragonfly has black shoulder and thoracic stripes and black legs. The face has a narrow black facial cross-line with bright green eyes. Clubtail species are very similar to each other in some aspects, careful inspection is needed to identify them.

Description of Habitat/Range:

The splendid clubtail prefers clear, fast-moving, usually rocky rivers with sandy gravel and silt among rocks in eastern United States. Uncommon in Wisconsin, it is widely distributed in northern Wisconsin.

Flight Season:

Late May to mid-July in Wisconsin.

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

20%
(124)

75%
(459)

4%
(27)

<1%
(3)

Shading illustrates monthly percentages of the total flight season records for the species. Each flight season record is a unique date/location/observer combination where one or more adult or an exuvia was recorded (excludes nymphs). The actual number of flight season records for each month is shown in parentheses.

Flight seasons begin earlier in the southern part of the state, often by a week or more. Also, flight charts may not be accurate for rare species because of few data available.

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