Cobra clubtail

Gomphus vastus

Species Type: invertebrate

Conservation Status: special concern

IDENTIFICATION

The cobra clubtail can reach between 2.0”-2.1”. They are dark brown with pale yellow to greenish markings on their body and bright green eyes. The females are almost similar in appearance but have slightly smaller clubs and thicker abdomens.

Distribution & Habitat

The cobra clubtail inhabits large rivers that have ample mud substrates and are found along the Delaware River in the Ridge & Valley and Piedmont regions in New Jersey. Their full range is from southwestern Maine to Minnesota and south to northern Florida, Texas and Alabama.

Diet

Nymphs feed upon a variety of aquatic life. Adults feed on other invertebrates.

Life Cycle

There are few records of the cobra clubtail in New Jersey. What is known suggests a short flight season limited to June after emergence in late May

Current Threats, Status, and Conservation

Due to lack of information about this species and its rarity the cobra clubtail is considered a species of Special Concern in New Jersey.

References

Text derived from the book, Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Jersey. 2009. By Allen E. Barlow and Jim Bangma.

Edited and updated by Larissa Smith in 2011.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Gomphidae
Genus: Gomphus
Species: G. vastus