Gomphurus lineatifrons
(Calvert, 1921)
Splendid Clubtail
Status-Global/State:
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.
(123)
(455)
(25)
(3)
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.
Male splendid clubtail. © Dan Jackson
Male splendid clubtail. © Jim Lind
Male splendid clubtail. © Dan Jackson
Female splendid clubtail. © Dan Jackson
Female splendid clubtail. © Dennis Paulson