All male dragonflies have three terminal appendages, collectively called “claspers,” that are used to grab and hold female dragonflies during mating: an upper pair of cerci (“superior appendages”) and a lower unpaired epiproct (“inferior appendage”). Claspers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but their function is identical for all species of dragonflies.
There are seven families of dragonflies. Part 1 (of 2) features a sampler of select images showing male dragonfly claspers from the Clubtail Family, Cruiser Family, and Darner Family.
Clubtail Family
The following image shows a male Ashy Clubtail dragonfly (Gomphus lividus) perching on the ground in a field located near Giles Run at Meadowood Recreation Area in Fairfax County, Virginia.
02 MAY 2014 | Meadowood Recreation Area | Ashy Clubtail (male)
Cruiser Family
The next image shows a male Stream Cruiser dragonfly (Didymops transversa) spotted along “Beaver Pond Loop Trail” at Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge, a 1,200 acre preserve located at Army Garrison Fort Belvoir, Fairfax County, Virginia.
02 May 2013 | Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge | Stream Cruiser (male)
Darner Family
The last image shows a male Shadow Darner dragonfly (Aeshna umbrosa) spotted near a vernal pool in the forest at Huntley Meadows Park.
24 OCT2014 | Huntley Meadows Park | Shadow Darner (male)
Related Resources:
- Dragonfly terminal appendages (male, female) [Painted Skimmer]
- More dragonfly terminal appendages [Blue-faced Meadowhawk]
- A sampler of male dragonfly claspers (Part 2)
- Odonate Terminal Appendages
Editor’s Notes: Part 2 (of 2) will feature a sampler of select images showing male dragonfly dragonfly claspers from the Emerald Family, Skimmer Family, and Spiketail Family. The author never has been fortunate to photograph either species of the Petaltail Family.
Copyright © 2015 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Aeshna umbrosa, Ashy Clubtail dragonfly, cerci, claspers, Clubtail Family, Cruiser Family, Darner Family, Didymops transversa, epiproct, Gomphus lividus, male, Meadowood Recreation Area, Shadow Darner dragonfly, Stream Cruiser dragonfly, terminal appendages, wildlife photography
walter sanford's photoblog 
March 16, 2015 at 8:15 am |
[…] appendages”) and a lower unpaired epiproct (“inferior appendage”). Male dragonfly terminal appendages don’t look exactly the same for all species of dragonflies, but their function is […]
March 16, 2015 at 8:18 am |
[…] of my digital photography and videography. « Terminal appendages (male, female) A sampler of male dragonfly claspers (Part 1) […]
March 18, 2015 at 5:01 am |
[…] Showcasing some of my digital photography and videography. « A sampler of male dragonfly claspers (Part 1) […]
April 14, 2017 at 4:01 am |
[…] 10 APR 2017 | Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge | Stream Cruiser (male) […]
April 28, 2017 at 4:01 am |
[…] An Ashy Clubtail dragonfly (Phanogomphus lividus) was spotted during a photowalk at Riverbend Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a male, as indicated by his indented hind wings and terminal appendages. […]
May 12, 2017 at 4:02 am |
[…] mid-size stream in Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a male, as indicated by his terminal appendages and indented hind […]