Lancet Clubtail
Phanogomphus exilis
This record describes Phanogomphus exilis (species). Recorded family: Gomphidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Abdomen | Abdomen has dorsal yellow stripe along full length. See Dunkle for other marks. Most common eastern clubtail . Male In dorsal view, note the blue/gray eyes, brown thorax , yellow stripe on all segments (although weak on S8 & S10 in this male): The only widespread eastern species with such a complete stripe. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen narrow with only slightly expanded club on S8 & S9. In the terminalia , the dorsal, superior, appendages are lancet-shaped without a lateral angle. The ventral, inferior, appendages are wider than the dorsal and give the appearance of the dorsal appendages having a lateral flange. In lateral view, note the brown thorax with a narrow dorsal stripe, 2 wide yellow lateral stripes, and a very thin yellow stripe between the upper lateral stripe and the dorsal stripe: Note also the extensive yellow on the sides of S8 & S9 (= the weak club), and the yellow patches on the lower sides of all other abdominal appendages. The upper, superior, appendages of the terminalia are actually lancet-shaped without lateral or dorsal spikes but appear forked in the right appendage of this male. This ‘fork’ is actually the left ventral, inferior, appendage. For males, the terminalia are the only consistent absolute diagnostic feature: Female Very similar to the other members in the Sub-genus; images in Guide. Nikula comments Safely identified only through examination of reproductive structures. Dunkle comments Female subgenital plate 1/5-1/4 as long as S9, V-notched halfway to its base. See photo of the diagnostic subgenital plate: |
Wikipedia reference for Phanogomphus exilis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phanogomphus_exilis.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Ponds bordered by marshes and lakes with sandy bottoms
Geographic Range
Eastern US and adjacent Canada; absent from Florida peninsula
Seasonal Activity
March to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults and larvae predatory on other insects
Life History
Larvae aquatic, predatory.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Phanogomphus exilis. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lancet Clubtail
What is Lancet Clubtail?
Lancet Clubtail (Phanogomphus exilis) is a species in the family Gomphidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Lancet Clubtail?
length 43 mm
How do you identify Lancet Clubtail?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Abdomen | Abdomen has dorsal yellow stripe along full length. See Dunkle for other marks. Most common eastern clubtail . Male In dorsal view, note the blue/gray eyes, brown thorax , yellow stripe on all segments (although weak on S8 & S10 in this male): The only widespread eastern species with such a complete stripe. |
| Abdomen | Abdomen narrow with only slightly expanded club on S8 & S9. In the terminalia , the dorsal, superior, appendages are lancet-shaped without a lateral angle. The ventral, inferior, appendages are wider than the dorsal and give the appearance of the dorsal appendages having a lateral flange. In lateral view, note the brown thorax with a narrow dorsal stripe, 2 wide yellow lateral stripes, and a very thin yellow stripe between the upper lateral stripe and the dorsal stripe: Note also the extensive yellow on the sides of S8 & S9 (= the weak club), and the yellow patches on the lower sides of all other abdominal appendages. The upper, superior, appendages of the terminalia are actually lancet-shaped without lateral or dorsal spikes but appear forked in the right appendage of this male. This ‘fork’ is actually the left ventral, inferior, appendage. For males, the terminalia are the only consistent absolute diagnostic feature: Female Very similar to the other members in the Sub-genus; images in Guide. Nikula comments Safely identified only through examination of reproductive structures. Dunkle comments Female subgenital plate 1/5-1/4 as long as S9, V-notched halfway to its base. See photo of the diagnostic subgenital plate: |
Where is Lancet Clubtail found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Ponds bordered by marshes and lakes with sandy bottoms |
| Range | Eastern US and adjacent Canada; absent from Florida peninsula |
What does Lancet Clubtail eat?
The diet of the Lancet Clubtail includes Adults and larvae predatory on other insects.
When is Lancet Clubtail active?
Lancet Clubtail: seasonal activity - March to September.
What is the life cycle of a Lancet Clubtail?
Larvae aquatic, predatory.