The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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North Carolina's 189 Odonate species

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Related Species in GOMPHIDAE: Number of records for 2024 = 0

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Southeastern Spinyleg (Dromogomphus armatus) by John Petranka, Sally Gewalt
Compare with: Flag-tailed Spinyleg   Russet-tipped Clubtail   Two-striped Forceptail  
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.

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Click on county for list of all its records for Southeastern Spinyleg
Flight Charts
Distribution Limited in NC to the Sandhills and the southern Coastal Plain, mostly near the SC border. NC lies at the northern edge of the species' range.
Abundance Uncommon in the Sandhills; less numerous -- rare to very uncommon -- in the Coastal Plain farther southeastward to the Black River (western Pender County). Surprisingly, all daily counts are just of one to two individuals. It is remarkable that after 50 or more years of odonate field work in the state, no one has found three or more in a day; the species simply does not occur in groups, much less in swarms; once you've seen one on a walk, that is likely it for the day!
Flight Summer into early fall. Records occur between mid-June and mid-October; however, most are from late July to late September.
Habitat Breeds in rather acidic waters of seeps, springs, small streams, etc., mainly in or near forested habitats. Presumably uses pocosin streamheads in the Sandhills. A few records of adults are from along blackwater rivers and streams, though breeding sites are most likely at small pools, seeps, and other tiny and shaded wetlands.
Behavior Can be seen flying along roads, trails, or brushy areas near wetlands; rarely over water of rivers and larger creeks. Perches frequently, both on the ground and on vegetation.
Comments This is one of the Sandhills' most spectacular odonates. Adults are large, and the bright rusty-orange club easily draws attention. Though a handful of other clubtails flying at that season have rusty-orange clubs (such as Russet-tipped Clubtail and Two-striped Forceptail), they typically are restricted to water and seldom perch on sand roads and other places well away from water.
State Rank S3
State Status W
Global Rank G4
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-09 15:33:34

Photo Gallery for Southeastern Spinyleg   18 photos are shown. Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: Harry LeGrand, Lori Arent

Comment: Richmond; C, 2022-08-17, Sandhills Game Land -- Bagget Lake area - being eaten by a Dragonhunter! Photo by Lori White
Photo 2 by: B. Bockhahn

Comment: Cumberland, 2021-06-09,
Photo 3 by: Richard Stickney

Comment: Richmond; C, 2020-07-26, Lake Bagget and stream outflow
Photo 4 by: Richard Stickney

Comment: Richmond; C, 2020-07-26, Lake Bagget and stream outflow
Photo 5 by: Will Stuart

Comment: Richmond; C, 2020-07-10, Sandhills Game Land in a shrubby stream margin near Bagget Lake - Note the turquoise-color eyes
Photo 6 by: Matt Spangler

Comment: Bladen, 2019-09-28, Black River between Three Sisters Swamp and the NC 53/11 bridge.
Photo 7 by: Matt Spangler

Comment: Pender, 2019-09-28, Black River between Three Sisters Swamp and the 53/11 bridge.
Photo 8 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Scotland, 2018-09-03, Scotland Lake, Sandhills Game Land - female
Photo 9 by: Richard Stickney

Comment: Moore; C, 2017-06-11, Weymouth Woods; beats my state early record set last year
Photo 10 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Robeson, 2016-08-27, 1 male landed on companion's hand while we were kayaking, Lumber River, between Boardman Boating Access and Lumber River State Park - Princess Ann Access
Photo 11 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Columbus, 2016-08-27, 1 male landed on companion's hand while we were kayaking, Lumber River, between Boardman Boating Access and Lumber River State Park Princess Ann Access
Photo 12 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt

Comment: Richmond; C, 2016-08-06, Gibson Pond (= Cuyler
Photo 13 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt

Comment: Richmond; C, 2016-08-06, Gibson Pond (= Cuyler
Photo 14 by: Richard Stickney

Comment: Moore; C, 2016-06-13, Sandhills Community College
Photo 15 by: Scott Hartley

Comment: Moore; C, 2007-08-08
Photo 16 by: R Emmitt

Comment: Richmond; C, 2004-07-24; perched near a pond
Photo 17 by: R Emmitt

Comment: Richmond; C, 2004-07-24, perched near a pond
Photo 18 by: Scott Hartley

Comment: Moore; C, 2006-08-26; Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve