NC Odonate Website

Related Species in GOMPHIDAE: Number of records for 2019 = 3

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Spine-crowned Clubtail (Hylogomphus abbreviatus) by John Petranka

Compare with: Banner Clubtail Piedmont Clubtail
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and females.

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Click on county for list of all its records for Spine-crowned Clubtail

distribution

Found only in the central and eastern Piedmont and the extreme southwestern corner of the Coastal Plain (at least in the Sandhills).

abundance

Rare to uncommon in the eastern half of the Piedmont, and very rare in the southwestern Coastal Plain. However, it is easily overlooked or confused with other species. It can be common at a very few sites, as there are two recent double-digit counts, and another of 8 individuals, all in different counties. Duncan Cuyler made several dozen collections in the lower Piedmont a few decades ago; but until about 2016, however, very little was known about this species in NC. Thankfully, the past few years have seen quite a few new records, many documented by photographs.

flight

Spring season only. The flight occurs from early April to early June. The peak was formerly during the first 20 days of May, but there are many recent April records, and the state high count was made on 2 April, our earliest state record!

habitat

This is another riverine species, favoring fast-flowing rivers and large streams.

See also Habitat Account for Piedmont and General Rocky Rivers

behavior

Seen mainly at or near streams, on rocks or vegetation. Dunkle (2000) states that males are most active in the late afternoon.

comments

As with most clubtails, even ones with a range in the eastern Piedmont (where the greatest number of odonate biologists live and conduct field work), this is a somewhat poorly known species, at least by observers and photographers. Most clubtails are difficult to identify unless netted or collected and then studied in the hand. This species looks quite similar to the Piedmont Clubtail, and it can also be confused with Banner Clubtail. Though its range extends from SC northward into Canada, it has a somewhat narrow east-west range, barely ranging west to OH. We have had a number of recent records, thankfully, and thus its range and abundance are becoming better known.

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synonym

Gomphus abbreviatus

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Species account update: LeGrand

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Spine-crowned Clubtail		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo by: John Petranka Comment: Caswell, 2019-04-30, NC 62 at Country Line Creek. About 1.2 miles south of Main Street in Yanceyville. - Males.		Photo by: John Petranka Comment: Caswell, 2019-04-30, NC 62 at Country Line Creek. About 1.2 miles south of Main Street in Yanceyville. - Males.
	Photo by: John Petranka Comment: Caswell, 2019-04-30, NC 62 at Country Line Creek. About 1.2 miles south of Main Street in Yanceyville. - Males.		Photo by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2018-05-11, Eno River, Eno River SP Pleasant Green Access. - Male.
	Photo by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2018-05-11, Eno River, Eno River SP Pleasant Green Access. - Male.		Photo by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2018-05-11, Eno River, Eno River SP Pleasant Green Access. - Male.
	Photo by: Mike Turner Comment: Alamance, 2018-04-14, Haw River @ NC 54, Graham Paddle Access - tenerals; 2 male 4 female netted, ID\'d and released; 8 other unid. tenerals flying around resembling abbreviatus, 35 Hylogomphus sp. exuvia along ~500\' of river bank		Photo by: Mike Turner Comment: Alamance, 2018-04-12, Haw River @ NC 54, Graham Paddle Access - teneral female; netted, photographed and released
	Photo by: Mike Turner Comment: Alamance, 2018-04-12, Haw River @ NC 54, Graham Paddle Access - teneral female; netted, photographed and released		Photo by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Davie, 2017-06-02, South Yadkin River at Bullhole River Park, Cooleemee. - Female. Found dead below the dam. First photo shows lateral view and macros show the short spines at the base of the occiput and short basal plate.
	Photo by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Davie, 2017-06-02, South Yadkin River at Bullhole River Park, Cooleemee. - Female. Found dead below the dam. First photo shows lateral view and macros show the short spines at the base of the occiput and short basal plate.		Photo by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Alamance, 2017-04-15, - Several males seen/photographed along Haw River at Swepsonville River Park
	Photo by: John Petranka Comment: Durham, 2017-04-03, Eno River State Park, Cole Mill section. Along the powerline corridor between Old Cole Mill Road and Bobbit Hole area. - Both sexes. Female photographed. Females can be difficult to separate from other Hylogomphus species, so macros are included showing the diagnostic short basal plate and the short spines at the base of the occiput.		Photo by: John Petranka Comment: Durham, 2017-04-03, Eno River State Park, Cole Mill section. Along the powerline corridor between Old Cole Mill Road and Bobbit Hole area. - Both sexes. Female photographed. Females can be difficult to separate from other Hylogomphus species, so macros are included showing the diagnostic short basal plate and the short spines at the base of the occiput.
	Photo by: John Petranka Comment: Durham, 2016-04-11, Eno River State Park Cole Mill section along Cole Mill Trail near county line. Female. No males seen. Photo.		Photo by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2016-04-10, Eno River State Park Cole Mill section along Bobbit Hole Trail. 2 females, no males seen. Photo.
	Photo by: John Petranka Comment: Montgomery, 2016-04-05, Uwharrie NF along FS Rd. 555 just downstream from confluence of Moccasin Creek with Uwharrie River. Males and females. Photo.		Photo by: John Petranka Comment: Montgomery, 2016-04-05, Uwharrie NF along FS Rd. 555 just downstream from confluence of Moccasin Creek with Uwharrie River. Males and females. Photo.
	Photo by: John Petranka Comment: Montgomery, 2016-04-05, Uwharrie NF along FS Rd. 555 just downstream from confluence of Moccasin Creek with Uwharrie River. Males and females. Photo.		Photo by: John Petranka Comment: Montgomery, 2016-04-05, Uwharrie NF along FS Rd. 555 just downstream from confluence of Moccasin Creek with Uwharrie River. Males and females. Photo.
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Comment: Wake, 2012-04-16, Below Falls Dam along the Neuse River		Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Comment: Wake, 2012-04-16, Below Falls Dam along the Neuse River
	Photo by: Matthew Daw Comment: Wake, 2010-05-10, FALA - Neuse River below dam

Photo Gallery for Spine-crowned Clubtail