New Jersey Endangered and Threatened Species Field Guide
Zoom+ An adult male extra-striped snaketail. © Sidney W. DunkleExtra-striped snaketail
Ophiogomphus anomalus
Species Group: Invertebrate
Conservation Status
State: Special Concern
IDENTIFICATION
Averaging 1.7” in length, the extra-striped snaketail has black lateral thoracic stripes forming an N shape above the base of the legs. The legs are all black and the abdomen is mostly black with yellow dorsal markings.
Zoom+ Range of the extra-striped snaketail in New Jersey.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
The extra-striped snaketail is an historic species in New Jersey. It was last observed in northwest Sussex County in 1920. The species’ habitat is large rivers and streams where there are sediments appropriate for the burrowing larvae.
DIET
Adults feed on flying insects including damselflies, moths and butterflies. The nymphs prey on small burrowing aquatic invertebrates.
LIFE CYCLE
Though little is known about the extra-stripped snaketail in New Jersey, the species should be found similar to other snaketail species from late May to early July.
CURRENT STATUS, THREATS, AND CONSERVATION
Due to its historic status, the extra-stripped snaketail is considered a species of Special Concern in New Jersey.
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: Ophiogomphus
Species: O. anomalus
Find Related Info: Invertebrates, Special concern
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