# Cypress Clubtail (*Phanogomphus minutus*) The Cypress Clubtail is a special dragonfly that loves to live near water. It has beautiful yellow and black stripes and can be seen flying around ponds and streams during warm days. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Cypress Clubtail](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cypress_Clubtail_-_Phanogomphus_minutus%252C_Manatee_Springs_State_Park%252C_Chiefland%252C_Florida%252C_April_26%252C_2021_%2852171820179%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cypress_Clubtail_-_Phanogomphus_minutus%252C_Manatee_Springs_State_Park%252C_Chiefland%252C_Florida%252C_April_26%252C_2021_%2852171820179%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Cypress Clubtail is a small dragonfly with a dark body, primarily blackish-brown, marked with bright yellow stripes and spots. It has striking green eyes. Males possess a distinctive, flared, club-like abdomen tip, differentiating it from other clubtails. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Gomphidae - **Genus:** Phanogomphus ## Interesting facts - Adult male Clubtails perform aerial dances to impress females during mating rituals! - Cypress Clubtails are tiny environmental detectives, indicating healthy, clean water! - Larvae live underwater for years before transforming into an amazing adult! - Named for loving swampy cypress habitats, where they hunt and rest! ## Special abilities - **Aerial Acrobats:** Cypress Clubtail can fly incredibly fast and change direction instantly, thanks to powerful wing muscles that help them hunt mid-air. - **Underwater Hunter:** Cypress Clubtail larvae have a special 'hinged jaw' that shoots out to grab small prey because of its unique labium. - **Camouflage Master:** Cypress Clubtail larvae can perfectly blend into the riverbed or pond bottom because of their muted colors and flattened bodies, helping them hide from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 50-70 mm - **Size:** 32-40 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 30-40 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This dragonfly is an aerial hunter, preying on many small insects both in the air and underwater! - **Age differences:** Larvae hunt aquatic invertebrates underwater; adults hunt flying insects in the air. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitos, flies, gnats, small moths, aquatic insect larvae - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Common Malaria Mosquito (*Anopheles quadrimaculatus*) — Adults hunt these flying insects. - **Eaten by:** [Southern Leopard Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-leopard-frog) (*Lithobates sphenocephalus*) — Adults and larvae can be eaten by frogs. - **Depends on:** Bald Cypress (*Taxodium distichum*) — Provides essential perching and habitat in swampy areas. - **Eaten by:** [Prothonotary Warbler](https://www.snappit.app/explore/prothonotary-warbler) (*Protonotaria citrea*) — Insectivorous birds prey on adult dragonflies. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Dragonflies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cypress Clubtail? Compare wing shape and resting posture, where the eyes sit, body markings and the tail segments. Males and females can look very different in color. Dragonfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Cypress Clubtail's wingspan? 50-70 mm ### How big is Cypress Clubtail? 32-40 mm ### How long does Cypress Clubtail live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Cypress Clubtail fly? 30-40 km/h ### What does Cypress Clubtail eat? This dragonfly is an aerial hunter, preying on many small insects both in the air and underwater! ### Where is Cypress Clubtail usually found? Wetlands ### How does Cypress Clubtail hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Stephen C. Foster State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stephen-c-foster-state-park) — Georgia, US · State Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Cypress Clubtail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cypress-clubtail)