Russet-tipped Clubtail
Stylurus plagiatus
This record describes Stylurus plagiatus (species). Recorded family: Gomphidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Greenish thorax, rusty club, green eyes. See print references for discussion, note geographic variation.
Wikipedia reference for Stylurus plagiatus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stylurus_plagiatus.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Streams, rivers, lakes, usually with bottoms of silty sand
Geographic Range
e US into sw and (?) Mex.
Seasonal Activity
Jun-Oct (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Males patrol over water and then perch on leaves.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Stylurus plagiatus. 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 Russet-tipped Clubtail (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Russet-tipped Clubtail
What is Russet-tipped Clubtail?
Russet-tipped Clubtail (Stylurus plagiatus) is a species in the family Gomphidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Russet-tipped Clubtail?
Wingspan circa 5.5 cm
How do you identify Russet-tipped Clubtail?
Greenish thorax, rusty club, green eyes. See print references for discussion, note geographic variation.
Where is Russet-tipped Clubtail found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Streams, rivers, lakes, usually with bottoms of silty sand |
| Range | e US into sw and (?) Mex. |
When is Russet-tipped Clubtail active?
Russet-tipped Clubtail: seasonal activity - Jun-Oct (BG data).
What is the life cycle of a Russet-tipped Clubtail?
Males patrol over water and then perch on leaves.