Gomphus ventricosus Walsh, 1863
Skillet Clubtail
NatureServe Global Rank: G3
Virginia State Rank: S1
VA DGIF Tier: II
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: The Skillet Clubtail is a small clubtail with an exceptionally wide club. Abdominal segment seven is black-edged with a yellow spot. The face is unmarked. Its size range is 48- 53 mm (1.9 - 2.1 inches).
Similar species: No other species has such a wide club or segment seven edged with black.
North American Range: The Skillet Clubtail can be found in the northeastern United States south to Virginia and Kentucky.
VA Observations by Locality: Smyth | Fairfax | Scott | Russell
Flight season and broods: Skillet Clubtail adults fly from 14 May - 2 June in Virginia.
Aquatic Habitat: The Skillet Clubtail prefers larger rivers with good water quality and current that is not too fast.
Behavior and Ecology: Male Skillet Clubtails conduct short patrols over the water from perch sights. Their flight is undulating as they work back towards the shore, returning to their perch.
Population trend and potential threats: Regarded as possibly extirpated or critically imperiled in many states in its range (NatureServe, 2011).
Management practices: Monitor and protect occupied habitats.
References: 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: Jan 1, 2013).
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.