Gomphus parvidens Currie, 1917
Piedmont Clubtail
NatureServe Global Rank: G4
Virginia State Rank: S1
VA DGIF Tier: IV
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: The Piedmont Clubtail is a small clubtail with a yellow-sided club. The eyes are blue. The abdomen is short and black and segments 4-7 have small basal triangles. Its size is 39-46 mm (1.5 - 1.8 inches).
Similar species: The Piedmont Clubtail is nearly identical to the Spine-crowned Clubtail (G. abbreviatus). It should be distinguished in hand or with a specimen. See Paulson (2011).
North American Range: The Piedmont Clubtail occurs in coastal southeastern states from Maryland (possibly) south to Georgia and Mississippi. In Virginia, it is known only from Bedford, Charlotte, and Powhatan Counties. There are no recent records.
VA Observations by Locality: Bedford | Charlotte | Powhatan
Flight season and broods: The Piedmont Clubtail is active as an adult from 23 May to 10 June in Virginia.
Aquatic Habitat: The habitat preference is small sandy streams of moderate gradient. Adults perch on overhanging vegetation.
Behavior and Ecology: The Piedmont Clubtail is a rare species occurring primarily in Piedmont streams where it has been infrequently collected due to its short flight season (Carle, 1982).
Population trend and potential threats: Currently unknown
Management practices: Monitor and protect occupied habitats.
References: Beaton, Giff. 2007. Dragonflies and Damselflies of Georgia and the Southeast. University of Georgia Press, Athens. 355 pp.
Carle, F.L., 1982. A contribution to the knowledge of the Odonata. Ph.D. thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia. 1,095 pp.
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).
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.