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Gomphidae - Clubtails

There are around 900 species in this family.

Most of the species in this family are found sitting on rocks or logs near fast-moving rivers and streams. They move from resting place to resting place and snatch up any prey they find along the way. Some species are found near ponds and slow-moving water sources.

Clubtails get their name from the bulge that many species have at the end of their abdomen, which makes the abdomen look a little like a club. The bulge is usually larger in males.

Unlike most species of dragonflies, the clubtail’s eyes are widely separated.

Clubtails are usually between 1.5-2.5 inches in length. Most species are black with yellow or green markings. Most clubtail species spend up to three years as nymphs.

  • The two-striped forceptail is found in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Two-Striped Forceptail
    (Aphylla williamsoni)
    The two-striped forceptail is found in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The horned clubtail is found in the northern Midwest and parts of Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Horned Clubtail
    (Arigomphus cornutus)
    The horned clubtail is found in the northern Midwest and parts of Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The lilypad clubtail is found in the northeastern United States. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Lilypad Clubtail
    (Arigomphus furcifer)
    The lilypad clubtail is found in the northeastern United States. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The gray-green clubtail is found in the southeastern U.S. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Gray-Green Clubtail
    (Arigomphus pallidus)
    The gray-green clubtail is found in the southeastern U.S. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The jade clubtail is found in the mid U.S. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Jade Clubtail
    (Arigomphus submedianus)
    The jade clubtail is found in the mid U.S. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The unicorn clubtail is found from Ontario southward to Arkansas. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Unicorn Clubtail
    (Arigomphus villosipes)
    The unicorn clubtail is found from Ontario southward to Arkansas. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellow-striped hunter is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Striped Hunter
    (Austrogomphus guerini)
    The yellow-striped hunter is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The jade hunter is found in eastern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Jade Hunter
    (Austrogomphus ochraceus)
    The jade hunter is found in eastern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The common thorntail is found in Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Common Thorntail
    (Ceratogomphus pictus)
    The common thorntail is found in Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Clubbed talontail is found in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Clubbed Talontail
    (Crenigomphus hartmanni)
    Clubbed talontail is found in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The southeastern spinyleg is found in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Southeastern Spinyleg
    (Dromogomphus armatus)
    The southeastern spinyleg is found in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-shouldered spinyleg is found in the eastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. It is found across New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Shouldered Spinyleg
    (Dromogomphus spinosus)
    The black-shouldered spinyleg is found in the eastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. It is found across New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The flag-tailed spinyleg is found in the midwest and south-central U.S. It is also found in Canada and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Flagtailed Spinyleg
    (Dromogomphus spoliatus)
    The flag-tailed spinyleg is found in the midwest and south-central U.S. It is also found in Canada and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The eastern ringtail is found in much of the eastern U.S. from Maryland south to Florida and west to Texas. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Eastern Ringtail
    (Erpetogomphus designatus)
    The eastern ringtail is found in much of the eastern U.S. from Maryland south to Florida and west to Texas. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Gomphidia kodaguensis is found in India. IUCN Redlist Status: Data Deficient
    Gomphidia Kodaguensis
    (Gomphidia kodaguensis)
    Gomphidia kodaguensis is found in India. IUCN Redlist Status: Data Deficient
  • The Southern Fingertail is found in Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Southern Fingertail
    (Gomphidia quarrei)
    The Southern Fingertail is found in Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The sandhill clubtail is found in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Sandhill Clubtail
    (Phanogomphus cavillaris)
    The sandhill clubtail is found in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The harpoon clubtail is found from Nova Scotia west to Ontario and south to Kentucky and North Carolina. It is found across New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Harpoon Clubtail
    (Phanogomphus)
    The harpoon clubtail is found from Nova Scotia west to Ontario and south to Kentucky and North Carolina. It is found across New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The pronghorn clubtail is found in the central U.S. and southcentral Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Pronghorn Clubtail
    (Phanogomphus graslinellus)
    The pronghorn clubtail is found in the central U.S. and southcentral Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The pronged clubtail is found in France, Portugal, and Spain. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Pronged Clubtail
    (Gomphus graslinii)
    The pronged clubtail is found in France, Portugal, and Spain. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The Pacific clubtail is found from Washington to northern California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Pacific Clubtail
    (Gomphus kurilis)
    The Pacific clubtail is found from Washington to northern California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The ashy clubtail is found in the eastern U.S. and Canada from Ontario south to Florida and Texas. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains in the spring. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Ashy Clubtail
    (Gomphus lividus)
    The ashy clubtail is found in the eastern U.S. and Canada from Ontario south to Florida and Texas. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains in the spring. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The cypress clubtail is found in the southeastern U.S. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Cypress Clubtail
    (Gomphus minutus)
    The cypress clubtail is found in the southeastern U.S. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The western clubtail is found in Western Europe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Western Clubtail
    (Gomphus pulchellus)
    The western clubtail is found in Western Europe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Turkish clubtail is found in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece , Iran, Macedonia, Montenegro, Türkiye, and Turkmenistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Turkish Clubtail
    (Gomphus schneiderii)
    The Turkish clubtail is found in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece , Iran, Macedonia, Montenegro, Türkiye, and Turkmenistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The yellow club-tailed dragonfly is found in southern Europe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow Club-Tailed Dragonfly
    (Gomphus simillimus)
    The yellow club-tailed dragonfly is found in southern Europe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The cobra clubtail is found in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains, but it is rare. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Cobra Clubtail
    (Gomphus vastus)
    The cobra clubtail is found in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. In New Hampshire, it is found south of the White Mountains, but it is rare. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The common clubtail is found in across much of Europe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Common Clubtail
    (Gomphus vulgatissimus)
    The common clubtail is found in across much of Europe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The dragonhunter is found from Manitoba and Nova Scotia in Canada south to Texas and Florida. It is found across New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Dragonhunter
    (Hagenius brevistylus)
    The dragonhunter is found from Manitoba and Nova Scotia in Canada south to Texas and Florida. It is found across New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The southern vicetail is found in eastern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Southern Vicetail
    (Hemigomphus gouldii)
    The southern vicetail is found in eastern Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The common flangetail is found in China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Laos, Myanmar, Taiwan, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Common Flangetail
    (Ictinogomphus pertinax)
    The common flangetail is found in China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Laos, Myanmar, Taiwan, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Australian tiger is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Australian Tiger
    (Ictinogomphus australis)
    The Australian tiger is found in Australia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The common tigertail is found in Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Common Tigertail
    (Ictinogomphus ferox)
    The common tigertail is found in Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Indian common clubtail is found in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Indian Common Clubtail
    (Ictinogomphus rapax)
    The Indian common clubtail is found in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The bladetail is found from Central Asia to Afghanistan and western Pakistan to the western Mediterranean. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Bladetail
    (Lindenia tetraphylla)
    The bladetail is found from Central Asia to Afghanistan and western Pakistan to the western Mediterranean. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The southern yellowjack is found in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Southern Yellowjack
    (Notogomphus praetorius)
    The southern yellowjack is found in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The green-eyed hooktail is found in North Africa, Europe, and southwest Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Green-Eyed Hooktail
    (Onychogomphus forcipatus)
    The green-eyed hooktail is found in North Africa, Europe, and southwest Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Gorge claspertail is found in Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Gorge Claspertail
    (Onychogomphus supinus)
    The Gorge claspertail is found in Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The rusty snaketail is found in southern Canada and the northern U.S. In New Hampshire, it is found near large rivers. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rusty Snaketail
    (Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis)
    The rusty snaketail is found in southern Canada and the northern U.S. In New Hampshire, it is found near large rivers. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The rock hooktail is found in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rock Hooktail
    (Paragomphus cognatus)
    The rock hooktail is found in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The corkscrew hooktail is found in Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Corkscrew Hooktail
    (Paragomphus elpidius)
    The corkscrew hooktail is found in Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The lined hooktail is found in Afghanistan, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Syria, and Türkiye. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Lined Hooktail
    (Paragomphus lineatus)
    The lined hooktail is found in Afghanistan, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Syria, and Türkiye. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The clubbed hooktail is found in Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Clubbed Hooktail
    (Paragomphus sabicus)
    The clubbed hooktail is found in Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Sinai hooktail is found in Egypt, Iran, Niger, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Sinai Hooktail
    (Paragomphus sinaiticus)
    The Sinai hooktail is found in Egypt, Iran, Niger, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The tawny sanddragon is found in Florida. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Tawny Sanddragon
    (Progomphus alachuensis)
    The tawny sanddragon is found in Florida. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The gray sanddragon is found in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Gray Sanddragon
    (Progomphus borealis)
    The gray sanddragon is found in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The common sanddragon is found in the southern Great Plains and eastern U.S. In New Hampshire, it is primarily found south of the White Mountains. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Common Sanddragon
    (Progomphus obscurus)
    The common sanddragon is found in the southern Great Plains and eastern U.S. In New Hampshire, it is primarily found south of the White Mountains. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Sieboldius albardae is found in Japan, China, and South Korea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Sieboldius albardae
    (Sieboldius albardae)
    Sieboldius albardae is found in Japan, China, and South Korea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The golden flangetail is found in China, Japan, North and South Korea, Macao, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Golden Flangetail
    (Sinictinogomphus clavatus)
    The golden flangetail is found in China, Japan, North and South Korea, Macao, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The eastern least clubtail is found in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. It is found across New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Eastern Least Clubtail
    (Stylogomphus albistylus)
    The eastern least clubtail is found in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. It is found across New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The russett-tipped clubtail is found in the eastern and southwestern United States. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Russet-Tipped Clubtail
    (Stylurus plagiatus)
    The russett-tipped clubtail is found in the eastern and southwestern United States. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

The russet-tipped clubtail is one of the species found in this family.
The russet-tipped clubtail is one of the species found in this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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