An Ashy Clubtail (Phanogomphus lividus) was spotted during a photowalk along a mid-size stream in Fairfax County, Virginia USA.
03 MAY 2017 | Fairfax County, VA | Ashy Clubtail (male)
This individual is a male, as indicated by his terminal appendages and indented hind wings.
03 MAY 2017 | Fairfax County, VA | Ashy Clubtail (male)
The last photo is uncropped. The wider view shows the Ashy Clubtail is well-camouflaged when perching on the ground.
03 MAY 2017 | Fairfax County, VA | Ashy Clubtail (male)
The Backstory
I visited a new location in Fairfax County, Virginia on 03 May 2017, following my hunch that the spot might be a good place to find some of the more uncommon species of odonates. Turns out my hunch was right!
I saw species from four families of dragonflies: male Stream Cruiser dragonfly (Didymops transversa); male Springtime Darner dragonfly (Basiaeschna janata); female and male Common Baskettail dragonfly (Epitheca cynosura); female and male Spine-crowned Clubtail dragonfly (Hylogomphus abbreviatus); at least two male Lancet Clubtail dragonflies (Phanogomphus exilis); and the male Ashy Clubtail (Phanogomphus lividus) featured in this post.
In addition, I saw lots of teneral damselflies from the Family Coenagrionidae (Pond Damsels), possibly Blue-tipped Dancer (Argia tibialis).
03 MAY 2017 | Fairfax County, VA | teneral damselfly
Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: 03MAY2017, Ashy Clubtail dragonfly, Fairfax County, Family Aeshnidae (Darners), Family Coenagrionidae, Family Corduliidae (Emeralds), Family Gomphidae (Clubtails), Family Macromiidae (Cruisers), female, male, Phanogomphus lividus, Pond Damsels Family, terminal appendages, Virginia
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