Lancet Clubtail

phanogomphus exilis

The Lancet Clubtail (Phanogomphus exilis) is a relatively small, early-season dragonfly belonging to the clubtail family (Gomphidae). Known for its striking black and yellow-green coloration, it earns its common name from the lance-shaped yellow markings running down the top of its abdomen. Like many clubtails, it has a habit of perching flat on the ground, rocks, or broad leaves, rather than clinging vertically to stems. It is an agile flyer that patrols calm water bodies during the spring and early summer, capturing smaller insects on the wing. Although its 'club'—the widening at the tip of the abdomen—is less pronounced than in other species of its family, its distinctive markings and widely spaced eyes make it a fascinating find for nature enthusiasts.

Hábitat: Found near ponds, lakes, bogs, and slow-moving streams, typically favoring areas with sandy, muddy, or detritus-rich bottoms where their larvae can burrow.

Aspecto

This species is a slender dragonfly typically measuring between 4 to 4.5 centimeters in length. Its thorax is vividly striped with yellowish-green and black, while the abdomen is predominantly black with a series of dorsal yellow spots that resemble the shape of a lancet (a sharp, two-edged surgical instrument) near the tail. Unlike some of its heavier relatives, the widening or 'club' at the end of its abdomen is relatively modest. It features large, widely separated, striking green eyes, a distinguishing trait of the Gomphidae family.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloArthropodaClaseInsectaOrdenOdonataFamiliaGomphidaeGéneroPhanogomphus

Lancet Clubtail

Categoría

Insectos

Rareza

Common

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

The 'Lancet' in their name refers to the pointy, dagger-like shape of the yellow markings on the top of their abdomen.

They spend up to 90 percent of their lives underwater as nymphs, only emerging for a brief few weeks to fly, mate, and lay eggs.

Unlike most other dragonfly families whose eyes meet at the top of their head, the eyes of clubtails, including the Lancet Clubtail, are noticeably separated.

Habilidades especiales

Unlike many dragonflies that hang vertically, Lancet Clubtails prefer to land flat on the ground or horizontal surfaces, allowing them to absorb radiant heat.

In their nymph stage, they possess specially adapted legs for burrowing into the sandy or muddy substrates of aquatic environments to camouflage and ambush prey.

Adults are highly agile fliers that calculate intercept trajectories to snatch small flying insects directly out of the air.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 4-5 cm
Envergadura: 5-6 cm
Peso: 0.0001-0.0005 kg
Esperanza de vida: 1-2 años
Top Speed: 30 km/h
Tamaño de la puesta: 500-2000
Incubación: 7-21 días

Dieta y alimentación

As adults, they are voracious aerial predators of smaller flying insects, while their aquatic nymphs ambush various aquatic invertebrates.

Diferencias por edad: Nymphs are aquatic ambush predators of water-dwelling invertebrates, whereas adults are aerial hunters of flying insects.

Alimentos principales

Mosquitoes
Midges
Small flies
Aquatic insect larvae

Método de búsqueda

Pursuit

Conexiones ecológicas

eaten by

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

Preyed upon by insectivorous birds while perching or flying.

hunts

Non-biting Midges

Chironomidae

Hunts large numbers of small aquatic midges as they emerge.

eaten by

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

Nymphs are eaten by predatory freshwater fish.

Rasgos

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También conocido como

Todavía no hay alias listados.

Colecciones

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Seguridad

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Preguntas frecuentes

¿Cómo identificar a Lancet Clubtail?

La forma más fácil de identificar a Lancet Clubtail es usar la aplicación de identificación de naturaleza Snappit.

¿Cuál es el longitud de Lancet Clubtail?

4-5 cm

¿Cuál es el envergadura de Lancet Clubtail?

5-6 cm

¿Cuál es el peso de Lancet Clubtail?

0.0001-0.0005 kg

¿Cuál es el esperanza de vida de Lancet Clubtail?

1-2 años

¿Cuál es el top Speed de Lancet Clubtail?

30 km/h

¿Qué come Lancet Clubtail?

As adults, they are voracious aerial predators of smaller flying insects, while their aquatic nymphs ambush various aquatic invertebrates.

¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente Lancet Clubtail?

Found near ponds, lakes, bogs, and slow-moving streams, typically favoring areas with sandy, muddy, or detritus-rich bottoms where their larvae can burrow.