Much to my surprise, a Lancet Clubtail dragonfly (Gomphus exilis) was spotted at Mulligan Pond, Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge (JMAWR), Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a male, as indicated by his terminal appendages.
26 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Lancet Clubtail (male)
Ashy Clubtail (Gomphus lividus) and Lancet Clubtail (Gomphus exilis) are two species of dragonflies from the Family Gomphidae (Clubtails) that are similar in appearance.
26 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Lancet Clubtail (male)
Kevin Munroe, author of the excellent Dragonflies of Northern Virginia Web site, explains how to identify Ashy Clubtail versus Lancet Clubtail on the page for Ashy Clubtail (see the section entitled “Notes from the field”). In this case, item No. 5 explains how to use a calendar to differentiate the two species.
Lastly, use the calendar: April = Ashy Clubtail; June or July = Lancet Clubtail; May = could be either one. (These dates work in Northern Virginia.) Source Credit: Ashy Clubtail, by Kevin Munroe.
Since the specimen shown in the preceding photographs was spotted on 26 June, Lancet Clubtail is almost certainly the correct identification. Further, the physical characteristics described in item No. 3 on Kevin’s checklist confirms what the calendar tells us.
Copyright © 2016 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Clubtail Family, discovery, Gomphus exilis, Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, Lancet Clubtail dragonfly, male, Mulligan Pond, terminal appendages, wildlife photography
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December 26, 2016 at 4:03 am |
[…] Identifying clubtails by the calendar, posted on 30 June 2016. […]
April 20, 2017 at 4:08 am |
[…] was surprised to discover a Lancet Clubtail dragonfly near Mulligan Pond during late-June 2016. Knowing that Ashy Clubtails can be found in the same habitats preferred by Lancet Clubtails, I […]