Ophiogomphus susbehcha
Vogt and Smith, 1993
St. Croix Snaketail
Gomphidae, Clubtail Family
"Most Wanted" Species
"Most Wanted" Species
Status-Global/State:
Global: G2 Wisconsin: S2 Endangered
Distinguishing Characteristics:
The recently described St. Croix snaketail averages about 2.0 inches in length. The thorax is blue-green with black shoulder stripes and two stripes on the thorax. The eyes are gray-blue. The legs are black except at base. The abdomen is black with yellow markings, with the tip yellow. Ophiogomphus species are very similar to each other in some aspects, careful inspection is needed to identify those snaketails.
Description of Habitat/Range:
The St. Croix snaketail is limited to Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota, especially along the St. Croix River drainage. It prefers medium-sized rivers that are clear, fast-flowing with mixed gravel, sand, and rock bottoms.
Flight Season:
Mid-May to late June in Wisconsin.
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
31%
(268)
(268)
68%
(579)
(579)
<1%
(4)
(4)
<1%
(1)
(1)
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.
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.
(Click on photos to enlarge)
Male St. Croix snaketail. © Matt Berg
Male St. Croix snaketail. © Matt Berg
Close-up of thorax of male St. Croix snaketail. © W.A. Smith
Female St. Croix snaketail. © Dan Jackson
Female St. Croix snaketail. © W.A. Smith