New Jersey Endangered and Threatened Species Field Guide
Zoom+ An adult female rapids clubtail. © Allen BarlowRapids clubtail
Gomphus quadricolor
Species Group: Invertebrate
Conservation Status
State: Special Concern
IDENTIFICATION
At approximately 1.7”, the rapids clubtail is a small black and green clubtail with pale grayish-green eyes. The thorax is black and has two wide “L” shaped frontal stripes, black shoulder stripes and two distinctive pale lateral stripes. The female’s coloring is bright yellow on black.
Zoom+ Range of the rapids clubtail in New Jersey.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
The rapids clubtail ranges from Alabama to Maine and west to Minnesota. They are found in northwestern New Jersey along rivers and streams that are moderate to fast flowing.
DIET
Nymphs feed on aquatic insects, small fish, and tadpoles. Adults consume small aerial insects such as flies and mosquitoes.
LIFE CYCLE
Rapids clubtails have a very short and early flight season from late May to late June.
CURRENT STATUS, THREATS, AND CONSERVATION
There are only three known populations of the rapids clubtail in New Jersey and the species is considered a species of Special Concern in the state.
Text derived from the book, Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Jersey. 2009. By Allen E. Barlow, David M. Golden 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. quadricolor
Find Related Info: Invertebrates, Special concern
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