Lanthus parvulus (Selys, 1854)
Northern Pygmy Clubtail
NatureServe Global Rank: G4
Virginia State Rank: S2
VA DGIF Tier: IV
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: The Northern Pygmay Clubtail is a very small clubtail with a black abdomen that has little expansion. Terminal appendages are dark. The size is 33-40 mm (1.3 - 1.6 inches).
Similar species: The Eastern Least Clubtail (Stylogomphus albistylus)is also very small and fairly common but has white terminal appendages and pale rings around each abdominal segment. The Northern Pygmay Clubtail distinguished from the Southern Pygmy Clubtail (L. vernalis) by a different thoracic pattern which is more extensively yellow. See discussion in Paulson (2011).
North American Range: The Northern Pygmay Clubtail is a Northeastern species found from Nova Scotia and Maine south in the Appalachians to West Virginia, perhaps as far south as North Carolina. In Virginia, it is found only at higher elevation sites in northern and western counties. Recent and historical records only consist of scattered western counties such as Highland (Roble et al., 2009).
VA Observations by Locality: Highland | Montgomery | Highland | Madison | Page
Flight season and broods: The Northern Pygmay Clubtail is recorded from 16 April to 3 July in Virginia.
Aquatic Habitat: The Northern Pygmay Clubtail prefers clear rocky streams in woodlands.
Behavior and Ecology: The Northern Pygmay Clubtail will perch on rocks in the streambed, or low on streamside vegetation.
Population trend and potential threats: With the exception of Vermont and eastern Canadian provinces, it is regarded as vulnerable to critically imperiled throughout 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: Oct 15, 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.
Roble, S. M., Carle, F. L., and O. S. Flint. 2009. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the Laurel Fork Recreation Area, George Washington National Forest, Highland County, Virginia: Possible evidence for climate change. pp. 365-399 in S. M. Roble and J. C. Mitchell eds. Virginia Museum of Natural History Special Publication No. 16., Martinsville, Virginia.