Hylogomphus adelphus
| Hylogomphus adelphus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
| Family: | Gomphidae |
| Genus: | Hylogomphus |
| Species: | H. adelphus |
| Binomial name | |
| Hylogomphus adelphus (Sélys, 1858) | |
 | |
Hylogomphus adelphus, the mustached clubtail, is a species of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It is found in south-eastern Canada and the eastern United States.
Prior to taxonomic revision in 2018, this species was known as Gomphus adelphus.[2]
Description
The mustached clubtail is a black and yellow dragonfly with green or turquoise eyes and characteristically black-marked face. The abdomen has yellow triangles on the upper surface and ends in a moderately wide, mostly black "club". Males and females are similar, although the female has more yellow on the abdomen.[3]
Etymology
The genus name Hylogomphus comes from hylo ("wood" or "forest") and Gomphus ("bolt" or "nail"). The specific epithet adelphus ("kinsman") is a reference to a presumed relationship with Gomphurus fraternus.[2]
The common name "mustached clubtail" refers to the conspicuous black markings on the face, reminiscent of a mustache.[2]
Behavior
This species is most active in the afternoon.[4] It perches on rocks and overhanging plants along the edges of rivers and can also be found away from the water in nearby sunny clearings.[3]
Distribution
The mustached clubtail can be found from the southern Appalachians north to Nova Scotia, west into Ontario, and south into Wisconsin and Michigan.[3]
Habitat
Mustached clubtails inhabit streams and rivers with a variety of flow, often with rocky riffles. They may also inhabit lakes with suitable shoreline.[3]
References
- ↑ Paulson, D.R. (2017) [amended version of 2018 assessment]. "Gomphurus ventricosus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T51178871A125532955. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T51178871A125532955.en. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
- 1 2 3 Paulson, Dennis R.; Dunkle, Sidney W.; Johnson, Jim T. (2024). A Checklist of North American Odonata (PDF) (Report). Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- 1 2 3 4 Paulson, Dennis (2011). Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East. Princeton Field Guides.
- ↑ LeGrand, Harry E.; Howard, Thomas E.; Petranka, John; Shields, Mark A. (2025). "The Odonata of North Carolina, Part 2: Anisoptera". Bulletin of American Odonatology. 14 (3): 79–167.
External links
Media related to Hylogomphus adelphus at Wikimedia Commons