Sulphur-tipped Clubtail
Phanogomphus militaris
This record describes Phanogomphus militaris (species). Recorded family: Gomphidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Blue eyes with yellow face; thorax and abdomen with a lot of yellow markings; T1-2 well-developed and narrowly separated; T3-4 narrower and widely separated; hind femur marked with yellow; abdomen black with yellow spear points from S3-8; S8-9 variably yellow laterally; S10 with narrow yellow stripe above. Male and female similarly colored/patterned. Extensively pale, much more so than most of the other clubtails.
Wikipedia reference for Phanogomphus militaris: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phanogomphus_militaris.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Small to medium slow flowing rivers, large open ponds and lakes Commonly found away from water
Geographic Range
Eastern New Mexico and Colorado, east to Illinois, south into Nuevo Leon, Mexico https://www.odonatacentral.org/app/#/maps/?filterqs=%7Cexcludeinat%7Ctaxons%3A46159
Seasonal Activity
Recorded from January through November on Odonata Central.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Phanogomphus militaris. 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 Sulphur-tipped Clubtail (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cliff Bernzweig; Additional contributions by Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Sulphur-tipped Clubtail
What is Sulphur-tipped Clubtail?
Sulphur-tipped Clubtail (Phanogomphus militaris) is a species in the family Gomphidae, within the order Odonata.
How do you identify Sulphur-tipped Clubtail?
Blue eyes with yellow face; thorax and abdomen with a lot of yellow markings; T1-2 well-developed and narrowly separated; T3-4 narrower and widely separated; hind femur marked with yellow; abdomen black with yellow spear points from S3-8; S8-9 variably yellow laterally; S10 with narrow yellow stripe above. Male and female similarly colored/patterned.
Where is Sulphur-tipped Clubtail found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Small to medium slow flowing rivers, large open ponds and lakes Commonly found away from water |
| Range | Eastern New Mexico and Colorado, east to Illinois, south into Nuevo Leon, Mexico https://www.odonatacentral.org/app/#/maps/?filterqs=%7Cexcludeinat%7Ctaxons%3A46159 |
When is Sulphur-tipped Clubtail active?
Sulphur-tipped Clubtail: seasonal activity - Recorded from January through November on Odonata Central..