Gomphus fraternus (Say, 1839)
Midland Clubtail
NatureServe Global Rank: G5
Virginia State Rank: S2
VA DGIF Tier: IV
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: The Midland Clubtail is a small clubtail with a wide club. The eyes are pale green and the face is unmarked. There are thin yellow stripes on top of abdominal segments 3-7. Segment 8 has a small yellow triangle. The range of size is 48-55 mm (2.0 inches).
Similar species: The Cobra Clubtail (G. vastus) is very similar, but it has a black line across the face, and lacks the small yellow triangle on top of segment 8. The Piedmont Clubtail (G. parvidens) is a little smaller, the club is not so wide, and it has no yellow triangle on top of segment 8.
North American Range: The Midland Clubtail occurs in the eastern United States from New York and Massachusetts west to the Great Lakes states, south to Kentucky and Tennessee. In Virginia it is known only from Fairfax and Wise Counties.
VA Observations by Locality: Wise | Fairfax
Flight season and broods: The Midland Clubtail flies from 29 May to 12 July in Virginia.
Aquatic Habitat: The Midland Clubtail prefers mud-bottomed lakes and rivers.
Behavior and Ecology: Male Midland Clubtails prefer riffles and rapids but will patrol over quieter waters.
Population trend and potential threats: The Midland Clubtail is very rare throughout its east coast range. It is more secure in the midwest and Canada (NatureServe, 2011).
Management practices: Monitor and protect occupied habitats.
References: NatureServe. 2011. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer (Accessed: Aug. 30, 2012).
Nikula, B., J. Loose, and M. Burne. 2003. A Field Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program. Westborough, Massachusetts. 197 pp.
Paulson, Dennis. 2011. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East. Princeton University Press. Princeton and Oxford. 538 pp.
Roble, Steven M. 2011. Dragonflies of Virginia- Flight dates. Unpub.