Russet-tipped Clubtail Dragonflies Stylurus plagiatus, Family Gomphidae Sheer Terror for Mosquitoes

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Russet-tipped Clubtail Dragonfly (DIN0132) Russet-tipped Clubtail Dragonfly (DIN0152) Russet-tipped Clubtail Dragonfly (DIN0246) Russet-tipped Clubtail Dragonfly (DIN0247) Russet-tipped Clubtail Dragonfly (DIN0248)

Species information:   There are many species of dragonflies in the Gomphid family, including about 10 genera in North America.  These are mostly stream-haunting species and are characterized by a noticeable distance between the compound eyes, giving the head a dumbbell look from above.  They also tend to have an expanded tip of the abdomen--hence the name Club-tail.  Determining species is often difficult and involves close inspection of the shape of the claspers at the end of the male's abdomen and the shape of their secondary sexual apparatus. The Russet-tipped Clubtail Dragonflies are much easier than other species in the group to identify, although there is some regional variations in the markings and other characteristics.

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