Ashy Clubtail

phanogomphus lividus

The Ashy Clubtail (Phanogomphus lividus) is a medium-sized dragonfly belonging to the Gomphidae family, known for its distinctive club-shaped abdomen in males. These fascinating insects play a crucial role in freshwater ecosystems, serving as both predators of smaller insects and an indicator of healthy aquatic environments. Their life cycle, transitioning from an aquatic nymph to a swift, aerial adult, highlights their adaptability and ecological importance in their native habitats.

Lebensraum: The Ashy Clubtail is typically found near clean, flowing waters such as rivers and streams, often with sandy or gravelly bottoms, as well as adjacent wooded areas where adults perch.

Aussehen

The Ashy Clubtail typically features a yellowish-green to greenish-gray body, often with dark, ash-colored markings. Its abdomen has distinct black stripes along the top and sides, and the male's abdomen tapers before widening into a prominent club-like structure at the very end. The eyes are usually grayish-blue or green, and the wings are clear with dark veins, often showing a slight yellowish tint at the base. They measure about 4 to 5 centimeters in length, with a wingspan of 6 to 8 centimeters.

ReichAnimaliaStammArthropodaKlasseInsectaOrdnungOdonataFamilieGomphidaeGattungPhanogomphus

Ashy Clubtail

Kategorie

Insekten

Seltenheit

Common

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

Snaps

Mach den ersten Snap!

Interessante Fakten

Ashy Clubtail nymphs are well-camouflaged, often burying themselves in the substrate of streambeds, leaving only their eyes and breathing apparatus exposed, waiting to ambush prey.

Dragonflies possess nearly 360-degree vision due to their large compound eyes, allowing them to spot prey and predators from almost any direction.

Like all dragonflies, the Ashy Clubtail undergoes incomplete metamorphosis, with its larval stage (nymph) living entirely underwater for one to two years before emerging as a flying adult.

The 'clubtail' in its name refers to the distinctive club-like widening at the end of the male's abdomen, a common feature in the Gomphidae family.

Besondere Fähigkeiten

Adult Ashy Clubtails exhibit powerful, agile flight, allowing them to effectively hunt and capture other flying insects mid-air with remarkable precision and speed.

As nymphs, they are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sediment at the bottom of streams and rivers to ambush unsuspecting aquatic invertebrates.

The presence of Ashy Clubtails often signifies good water quality, as their sensitive nymphs are vulnerable to pollution and require clean, well-oxygenated aquatic environments to thrive.

Maße und Details

Länge: 4-5 cm
Flügelspannweite: 6-8 cm
Gewicht: 0.001-0.002 kg
Lebenserwartung: 1-2 Jahre
Top Speed: 35 km/h
Gelegegröße: 200-800
Brutzeit: 7-30 Tage

Ernährung und Fütterung

Both adult Ashy Clubtails and their aquatic nymphs are voracious predators, feeding exclusively on other insects. Adults hunt in the air, while nymphs lie in wait beneath the water, ambushing passing prey.

Altersunterschiede: Larval nymphs are aquatic ambush predators, consuming smaller aquatic invertebrates, while adults are aerial pursuit predators, primarily consuming flying insects.

Hauptnahrung

Mosquitoes
Midges
Gnats
Caddisflies
Mayflies
Damselflies

Nahrungssuche

Pursuit (adults), Ambush (nymphs)

Ökologische Zusammenhänge

eaten by

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

Adults are preyed upon by insectivorous birds, especially while perched or during flight.

eaten by

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Ashy Clubtail nymphs serve as a food source for various freshwater fish.

hunts

Mosquito

Culicidae

Adult Ashy Clubtails are significant predators of flying insects, helping to control their populations.

hunts

Mayfly Nymph

Ephemeroptera

Nymphs of the Ashy Clubtail feed on smaller aquatic invertebrates in their stream habitats.

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Sicherheit

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

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Häufig gestellte Fragen

Wie identifiziert man Ashy Clubtail?

Der einfachste Weg, Ashy Clubtail zu bestimmen, ist die Verwendung der Naturführer-App Snappit.

Was ist der/die/das länge von Ashy Clubtail?

4-5 cm

Was ist der/die/das flügelspannweite von Ashy Clubtail?

6-8 cm

Was ist der/die/das gewicht von Ashy Clubtail?

0.001-0.002 kg

Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von Ashy Clubtail?

1-2 Jahre

Was ist der/die/das top Speed von Ashy Clubtail?

35 km/h

Was frisst Ashy Clubtail?

Wo findet man Ashy Clubtail normalerweise?

The Ashy Clubtail is typically found near clean, flowing waters such as rivers and streams, often with sandy or gravelly bottoms, as well as adjacent wooded areas where adults perch.