This species can be distinguished other species in its range as follows:

• The similar Cherokee Clubtail (only rarely found on same stream) has T3 being incomplete or lacking. Overall darker, more likely to have black markings on face, also black front of occiput (pale in Cherokee). Fine pale line well separated from wider spot between T1 and T2 (usually slightly wider line merely expanded at top in Cherokee) and pale abdominal markings at absolute minimum in males, never more than edge of S8–9 (female abdomens much more similar). See Cherokee for species similar to both that species and this one.
• The slender, dark abdomen produces superficial similarity to the Stylogomphus species (https://odonata.app/taxon/708184) and Lanthus species (https://odonata.app/taxon/707831). Can easily be distinguished from those distinctly smaller species by mostly pale sides of thorax, lack of pale lateral spots or rings on abdomen, and different appendages.

Paulson, Dennis. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East (Princeton Field Guides Book 80) (p. 272).