Gray petaltail

Tachopteryx thoreyi

Species Type: invertebrate

Conservation Status: endangered

IDENTIFICATION

New Jersey’s largest gray and black dragonfly, the gray petaltail reaches 3 inches. The thorax and abdomen are gray with black accents on the shoulders and a black dorsal band and arrow-shaped markings on the abdomen. Their distinctive stigmas are long and thin.

Distribution & Habitat

Although the gray petaltail is found throughout the eastern United States, in New Jersey it is limited to Bergen, Morris, Passaic, and Sussex Counties. This woodland species is found in small seepages in habitat abundant with skunk cabbage and ferns.

Diet

Nymphs feed on aquatic invertebrates. Gray petaltail adults feed on large flying insects including other dragonflies.

Life Cycle

Flight season is from early June to late July with gray petaltails rarely leaving their breeding habitat. Eggs are deposited in permanent seeps where the semi-aquatic nymphs develop.

Current Threats, Status, and Conservation

The gray petaltail was listed as endangered in New Jersey after the largest known colony was destroyed during residential development.

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 Karena Di Leo in 2011.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Petaluridae
Genus: Tachopteryx
Species: T. thoreyi