Description: 69-76 mm. Big clubtail species of southeastern states. Male: Dark barring across face with blue eyes. Two widely-separated, pale yellow stripes on sides of dark brown thorax (sometimes with thin pale stripe visible in between) with a third thoracic stripe on the front of each side. Mostly dark brown abdomen with yellow markings fading into reddish orange on S7-10. Club is often emphasized and very noticeable in flight due to distinct reddish coloration and behavior of holding it curved down. Female: Very similar to male, but with virtually no club and often showing a thin, incomplete middle third stripe on side of thorax. Long flight season from April to October across most of range.

Identification: Distinct from other clubtails of the southeast with long skinny abdomen and large overall size. Similar Broad-striped and Narrow-striped Forceptail exists in western portion of range, but has many more stripes on thorax that are much more narrow. Female Southeastern Spinyleg typically has an orange end of abdomen, but has much longer hind legs. Russet-tipped Clubtail with T1-4 all present.

Habitat: Adapted to a wide variety of habitats including streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. Often thrives as the top Odonate predator at many manmade neighborhood ponds in the south. Seems to be expanding range northward.

Natural History: Reminiscent of a small helicopter in flight--regularly hovering as it patrols over water and along shore quickly and controlled. Perches on small vegetation and sticks at shore, often flying when approached closely by humans. Very aggressively flies after other dragonflies, including individuals of its own species. Females often lay eggs in the late evening.

Reference: Andrew Theus adapted from OdonataCentral ID page

Reviewed by John C. Abbott