with COMMON (English) NAMES OF DRAGONFLIES
as originally adopted by the Dragonfly Society of the Americas
(Argia, vol.8, no.2, 1 August 1996)
with all current revisions.
New links &/or information was added to this site in 2008
The CA distribution maps were last updated in
2006. Click here to access
distribution in nearby states Distribution
Maps are based on information originally collected by Dennis Paulson and
updated by confirmed sightings. If you find a species in a new county please
contact Kathy
and Tim.
The species of Clubtails indicated below have been recorded in California.
CA Dragonflies = Common Dragonflies of California, A Beginner's Pocket Guide by Kathy Biggs 2000
CA Dragons&Damsels = Dragonflies and Damselflies of California by Tim Manolis. UCPress. April 2003
CA+SW Dragonflies = Dragonflies of California & Common Dragonflies the Southwest, A Beginner's Pocket Guide (with dust jacket) by Kathy Biggs 2006
SW Dragonflies = Common Dragonflies the Southwest, A Beginner's Pocket Guide by Kathy Biggs 2004
CA Insects = California Insects by Jerry Powell and Charles Hogue
Dragonflies N.A. = Dragonflies of North America by James G. Needham,
Minter J. Westfall, Jr., Michael L. May 2000
LA Insects = Insects of the Los Angeles Basin by Charles Hogue
Dragonflies through Binoculars = Dragonflies through Binoculars, A Field
Guide to Dragonflies of North America by Sidney W. Dunkle 2000
Stokes Guide = Beginner's Guide to Dragonflies
by Blair Nikula, Jackie Sones. A Stokes Guide. May 2002
Audubon Guide = Audubon Society Field Guide to North American
Insects and Spiders
* = photograph/scanning(s) available to see at this Internet website
This site is totally funded by Kathy & Dave Biggs. If you have found it useful, a donation would be appreciated!
| Scientific Name
Common Name |
Remarks/Description/Information | Picture in book
*Photo/scan at website |
| | |
|
| FAMILY Gomphidae
Clubtails aka Club-tails |
6 CA genera: totaling 12 species
sizes: large, lengths 41 - 67 mm males: many have an enlarged area at the end of the
females: like the males or yellow where the males are green or
gray;
nymph: sprawl under sand/litter with only eyes showing and ambush prey sketch habitats: mostly rivers and streams behaviors: males perch on the ground or on rocks on the beach or
in the water in sunlit areas, defending a territory;
|
scanned image by Kathy Biggs CA Dragonflies p. 48 CA Dragons & Damsels p. 108 CA+SW & SW Dragonflies p. 72 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 60-text Dragonflies N.A. key p.95-100, p. 62-75 sketches, 299, 358-454 |
| | |
|
| GENUS: Erpetogomphus
Ringtails: |
2 CA species
description: ringed appearance to abdomen;
habitat: sandy streams |
 Photo by Dave Biggs CA Dragonflies p. 48 CA Dragons & Damsels p. 117 CA+SW & SW Dragonflies p.72 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 118-text |
| | |
|
| Erpetogomphus compositus
White-belted Ringtail photo male
scan male
|
size: medium/large, 46-55 mm, wingspan 60-70 mm
male: blue eyes, pale yellow face;
female: like male but body stouter; more parallel sided;
similar species: Serpent Ringtail has yellow, not pale, rings;
behavior: perch on gravel, small rocks at streamside habitat: streams and rivers flight period: April - October distribution: central & so. CA; but range may be expanding |
CA Dragonflies p. 48, 51
CA Dragons & Damsels pl. 23, p. 117 CA+SW & SW Dragonflies p.76 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 120-text; pl.18 picture Dragonflies N.A. p. 64-65 sketches, 245, 248, 250-252, 254 *Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties *Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata *Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders *Photos by John Stirling at his Odonata Photos Website *Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by Steve Valley at
*Photo by Dennis Paulson |
| Erpetogomphus lampropeltis lampropeltis
Serpent Ringtail photo male
scan male
|
size: medium, 46-52 mm, wingspan 58-72 mm males: like White-belted Ringtail but abdomen is black with yellow rings;
habitat: desert streams flight period: June - October distribution: southern CA only:
|
CA Dragons & Damsels pl. 23, p. 118 CA+SW & SW Dragonflies p. 78 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 121-text; pl.18 picture Dragonflies N.A. p. 64-65 sketches, 264 *Photos by Doug Aguillard at his dragonflies website *Photos by John Sterling at his CA dragonflies website *Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest *Photo by Dennis Paulson at ODONATA PHOTOS *Photo (other subspecies) #1 & #2 by Bob Behrstock at Digital Dragonflies, Texas |
| | |
|
| GENUS: Gomphus
The Common Clubtails |
1 CA species
description: hind legs don't reach beyond middle of abdominal segment #2 habitat: occurs at both ponds and lakes |
 Photo by Kathy Biggs CA Dragons & Damsels p. 107 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 62-text |
|
| ||
| Gomphus kurilis
Pacific Clubtail archaic scientific name - Gomphus confraternus photo male
|
size: medium/large, 48-53 mm, wingspan 58-69 mm
males: green face with blue eyes;
female: yellow where male is green (as is immature male) similar species: Bison Snaketail not found on ponds and has spots on top of all abdominal segments; Bison's top thoracic stripe not pointed; Pacific is generally darker than most other CA clubtails habitat: only CA Clubtail found at ponds;
behavior: perch on rocks in water at pond side flight period: March - August (however mostly a Spring/early Summer species) distribution: central and northern CA |
CA Dragonflies p. 52 CA Dragons & Damsels pl. 20, p. 107 CA+SW Dragonflies - inside dust jacket Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 63-text; pl.7 picture Dragonflies N.A. p. 68-69 sketches, 305, 311, 315, 321-322 *Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site *Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata *Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages *Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties *Photo at Stirling's Dragonfly Photos *Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest *Photos by Steve Valley at Dragonfly and Damselfly Images *Photos by Dennis Deck at his Dragonflies & Damselflies of Oregon & Washington *Photo by Dennis Paulson at Odonata Photos Site
*Scanned dragonflies by Dennis Paulson |
| | |
|
| GENUS: Octogomphus
The Grappletails |
1 CA species
less patterned than the other CA Clubtails habitat: found along the Pacific coast; Del Puerto Canyon behavior: often fly far from water |
 Photo by Kathy Biggs CA Dragons & Damsels p. 106 |
| | |
|
| Octogomphus specularis
Grappletail aka Small Western Gomphid photo male
scans male
|
size: large, 51 - 53 mm, wingspan 60 - 82mm
male: face yellow, eyes dark;
female: yellow where male can be green;
habitat: rivers with riffles in wooded coastal hills, creeks behavior: perch on low objects in sunlit
openings
distribution: statewide flight period: April - October |
CA Dragonflies p. 49 CA Dragons & Damsels pl. 20, p. 106 CA+SW & SW Dragonflies p. 73 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 103-text; pl.15 picture Dragonflies N.A. p. 94 sketch, 210, 212, 358 Audubon Guide: Small Western Gomphid *Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages *Photo at Common Dragonflies of Marin County by Rich Stallcup *Photos by Eric Preston at his Dragonfly Photography site *Photos by Doug Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties *Photos by John Sterling at his Dragonflies of CA website *Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest *Photos by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery |
| | |
|
| GENUS: Ophiogomphus
Snaketails: |
4 very similar species
males: thorax top green, contrasting with yellow on top of abd. nymph common in clean rivers/streams, where water quality not degraded by changes to flow/siltation from channelization or agricultural activities. behavior: often rest on gravelly shores/rocks;
habitat: mountain lakes and streams in sand and/or gravel substrates in mostly arid lands |
 Photo by Dave Biggs CA Dragons & Damsels p. 112 CA+SW & SW Dragonflies p. 72 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 106-text |
| | |
|
| Ophiogomphus bison
Bison Snaketail aka Western Mountain Gomphid photo male
|
size: large, 50-51 mm, wingspan 60-70mm
male: thorax bright green with dark stripes;
female: 2 black-tipped horns on head (not easy to see) similar species: Great Basin Snaketail has 2 curved, not wavy, lines;
behavior: patrols shoreline, only briefly settling on logs, rocks,
low vegetation;
habitat: lowland trout streams and vicinity flight period: April - October distribution: northern and central sections of state |
CA Dragons & Damsels pl. 22, p. 116 CA+SW & SW Dragonflies p. 83 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 107-text; pl.16 photo Dragonflies N.A. p. 72-73 sketches, 369-370, 372-373, 383-384 Audubon Guide: Western Mountain Gomphid plate 344 *Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages *Photos by Eric Preston at his photography site *Photos by Doug Aguillard at his dragonfly photography site
*Photos by John Sterling at his CA dragonfly site
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest |
| Ophiogomphus morrisoni
Great Basin Snaketail photos male
|
size: large, 50-52 mm, wingspan 58-69 mm
male: thorax sides olive green;
similar species: Sinuous has 2 wavy thoracic lines;
habitat: streams in arid lands flight period: May - August |
CA+SW Dragonflies p.85 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 110-text; pl.16 photo Dragonflies N.A. p. 72-73 sketch, 363, 368, 370, 374-376, 393 *Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonfly & Damselfly Photography Pages *Photos by John Stirling at his Odonata Photo Gallery *Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest *Photos by Steve Valley at Oregon Odonata Photo Gallery *Scans of CA specimen by Dennis Paulson at his WA Dragonfly Photo Gallery |
| Ophiogomphus occidentis
Sinuous Snaketail photo male
|
size: medium/large, 46-52 mm, wingspan 58-69 mm
male: green face with blue eyes;
female: spurs behind eyes; less clubbed similar species: Great Basin Snaketail has 2 curved, not wavy, lines;
habitat: big mountain rivers; some streams and lakes flight period: April - August (but teneral found 3-30-01) distribution: dry mountains of central and northern California |
CA Dragonflies p. 53 CA Dragons & Damsels pl. 22, p. 115 CA+SW & SW Dragonflies p. 82 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 109-text; pl.16 picture Dragonflies N.A. p. 72-73 sketch, 363, 368, 370, 373-375, 381, 394-396 *Photos by Doug Aguillard at his Dragonfly Gallery *Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest *Photo by Steve Valley at his Dragonfly Gallery 1
*Scanned dragonflies by Dennis Paulson |
| Ophiogomphus severus
Pale Snaketail
scan male
|
size: large, 49-52 mm, wingspan 67-72 mm
male: thorax sides almost solid olive green - lacking stripes;
similar species: Great Basin Snaketail has 2 curved, not wavy, lines;
habitat: ponds, streams and rivers in far north eastern CA flight period: May - ~August |
CA Dragons & Damsels pl. 22, p. 112 CA+SW & SW Dragonflies p. 84 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 108-text; pl.16 picture Dragonflies N.A. p. 72-73 sketch, 363, 368, 370, 374-376, 396-398 *Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata *Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest *Scanned dragonflies by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photos at Bugguide, from Colorado *Photos at Bugguide, from Colorado |
| | |
|
| GENUS: Progomphus
|
1 CA species
description: gray thorax sides habitat: neotropical |
 Photo by Dave Biggs CA Dragons & Damsels p. 119 CA+SW & SW Dragonflies p. 72 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 103-text |
| | | |
| Progomphus borealis
Gray Sanddragon
|
size: large, 56-62 mm, wingspan 66-75 mm
male: yellow face; gray eyes;
female: can be like male or grayish green where male yellow similar species: White-belted Ringtail has more gold end of abdomen behavior: frequently perches with body in arched position;
habitat: streams, rivers, sandy lakes & creek beds flight period: March - October distribution: less common in northern California |
CA Dragonflies p. 50 CA Dragons & Damsels pl. 23, p. 119 CA+SW & SW Dragonflies p. 74 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 104-text; pl.15 picture Dragonflies N.A. p. 62-63 sketch, 416-417, 419-421 *Photo by Doug Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties *Photos by Eric Preston at his Dragonfly Photography Website *Photos by John Stirling at his Odonata Photos Website *Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by Dennis Paulson |
| | |
|
| GENUS: Stylurus
The Hanging Clubtails |
3 CA species
behavior: hang perch habitat: warm muddy streams or ponds |
Scan by Kathy Biggs CA Dragons & Damsels p. 109 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 88-text |
| | |
|
| Stylurus intricatus
Brimstone Clubtail aka Gomphus intricatus male - AZ
scan male
|
size: medium, 41-55 mm, wingspan 55-64 mm
male: very pale overall; pale yellow or green with dark markings;
female: like male but abdomen tip not clubbed behavior: hang perches on bush or driftwood;
habitat: sand/silt-bottomed, slow-moving rivers;
distribution: desert species on eastern side of Sierra Nevada flight period: June - October |
CA Dragons & Damsels pl. 21, p. 111 CA+SW & SW Dragonflies p. 80 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 90-text; pl.12 picture #4 Dragonflies N.A. p. 74-75 sketches, 434-439, 442-444 *Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders *Photo by Doug Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Co. *Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scan female by Roy Beckemeyer |
| Stylurus olivaceus
Olive Clubtail aka Gomphus olivaceus photo male
scan male scan female |
size: large, 56-60 mm, wingspan 72-74 mm
male: thorax sides: tawny gray/green;
female: like male but lacking 'club' behavior: males: fly leisurely in broadly zigzag course no more
than 10 inches above water;
habitat: warm, muddy streams, rivers or ponds;
distribution: low elevations flight period: June - September |
CA Dragons & Damsels pl. 21, p. 109 CA+SW & SW Dragonflies p. 81 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 90-text; pl.12 picture Dragonflies N.A. p. 74-75 sketches, 434-440, 447, 450 *Multiple images by Doug Aguillard at his CA Dragonflies website *Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest *Scanned dragonflies by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery *Photos by Dennis Deck at his Dragonflies & Damselflies of Oregon & Washington |
| Stylurus plagiatus
Russet-tipped Clubtail aka Gomphus plagiatus
scan male side
|
size: quite large, 57-66 mm, wing 74-83 mm
males: green thorax and upper legs; 3 dark stripes thorax side;
female: is similar to male; dark atop 9 & 10
habitat: rivers flight period: July - October |
CA Dragons & Damsels pl. 21, p. 110 CA+SW & SW Dragonflies p. 79 Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 91-text; pl.12 #6 picture Dragonflies N.A. p. 74-75 sketches, 432-440, 448, 450 *Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders *Photos by Doug Aguillard at his Dragonflies and Damselflies of San Diego and Imperial Counties *Photos by John Stirling at his Odonata Photos Website *Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest *Photo male by Bob Behrstock, Texas at Digital Dragonflies Photos by Bob Behrstock at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photos by Curtis Williams, Texas
*Photos (more!) by Curtis Williams, Texas
*Photo of female by Omar Bocanegra
*Photos & scan by Ann Johnson *Scans by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana) |
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DRAGONFLIES of California and Common DRAGONFLIES of the Southwest A Beginner's Pocket Guide by Kathy Biggs (includes damselflies) |
A coloring book - Dragonflies of North America A Color and Learn Book with Activities May 2007 Click here for more information 
by Kathy Biggs and Tim Manolis For children, grandchildren & your inner child! |
