New Jersey Endangered and Threatened Species Field Guide

Septima's clubtail
Gomphus septima
Species Group: Invertebrate
Conservation Status
State: Special Concern
IDENTIFICATION
This large species reaches 2.2” and has a dark brown and pale green coloring. The eyes are grayish green and the abdomen is dark brown with yellow spots. The female has wider dorsal markings and paler legs.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
The Septima’s clubtail found in New Jersey is a disjunct regional subspecies, found along the Delaware River in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. It is found only in few segments of the Delaware River where major tributaries join the river.
DIET
Larvae are predatory and adults feed on other invertebrates
LIFE CYCLE
In late May emergence takes place and the adults are active throughout June.
CURRENT STATUS, THREATS, AND CONSERVATION
The Septima’s clubtail is considered a species of Special Concern in New Jersey. It is one of the rarest clubtails In North America.
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. septima
Find Related Info: Invertebrates, Special concern