Two-striped Forceptail
Aphylla williamsoni
This record describes Aphylla williamsoni (species). Recorded family: Gomphidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Note two broad, yellow thoracic stripes. Females sometimes have a very narrow stripe in between these two . The author of this species is Leonora Katherine Doll Gloyd (29 August 1902 near Larned, Kansas - 2 June 1993). She married Howard K. Gloyd , a herpetologist. Her mentor in odonate studies was Edward Bruce Williamson (1877-1933). Friends called her Dolly. There are a couple of articles with biographical information, however there is neither a Wikispecies nor Wikipedia article on her. References below, currently both available online. -J.M. van Brink and B. Kiauta. To Mrs. Leonora K. Gloyd on her 75th birthday. Odonatologica 6: 143-149 September 1, 1977. -Garrison, Rosser W. Leonora K. Gloyd, A Reminiscence. Argia 5, 15 March 1994, pp. 2-3.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southeastern United States, Virginia to Louisiana , mostly in coastal plain, but extending into middle Piedmont .
Seasonal Activity
Georgia: June-October ; Louisiana: April-November
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: No doubt named by Gloyd for her mentor, Edward Bruce Williamson (1877-1933).
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Aphylla williamsoni. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Odonata includes ~6,000 described species of dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects, reaching 36 mph (58 km/h). They can fly in any direction including backward, and hover in place - each wing operates independently.
Ecological role of the group
Dragonflies predate dinosaurs by nearly 100 million years - fossils date to 325 million years ago. The largest dragonfly ancestor, Meganeuropsis permiana (285 mya), had a 75cm wingspan, enabled by atmospheric oxygen levels of 31-35% compared to today's 21%. Dragonflies have a 95% hunting success rate - the highest of any predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Dragonflies are voracious predators that consume hundreds of mosquitoes daily, providing natural pest control worth millions in reduced mosquito-borne disease risk. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Recorded sources for this group: Natural History Museum London, Britannica, fossil record research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Two-striped Forceptail (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Dennis Profant; Additional contributions by cotinis
Frequently Asked Questions About Two-striped Forceptail
What is Two-striped Forceptail?
Two-striped Forceptail (Aphylla williamsoni) is a species in the family Gomphidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Two-striped Forceptail?
Length 65-76 mm ; 71-76 mm
How do you identify Two-striped Forceptail?
Note two broad, yellow thoracic stripes. Females sometimes have a very narrow stripe in between these two .
Where is Two-striped Forceptail found?
Range: Southeastern United States, Virginia to Louisiana , mostly in coastal plain, but extending into middle Piedmont .
When is Two-striped Forceptail active?
Two-striped Forceptail: seasonal activity - Georgia: June-October ; Louisiana: April-November.