Jade Clubtail

arigomphus submedianus

The Jade Clubtail (Arigomphus submedianus) is an elegant species of dragonfly belonging to the clubtail family, Gomphidae. Common to the central and eastern regions of North America, this insect is a fascinating aerial predator and an excellent indicator of freshwater ecosystem health. Its striking jade-green coloration, contrasted with dark brown or black patterning, makes it a magnificent sight when spotted along the edges of slow-moving rivers and calm lakes. During their early life stages, Jade Clubtails live as aquatic nymphs buried in soft sediment, where they act as fierce ambush predators before emerging to claim the skies. Adults are incredibly agile in flight, utilizing their aerial mastery to capture various flying pests, making them highly beneficial for natural pest control. Their presence near muddy waters adds a vibrant spark of life to riparian habitats, captivating nature enthusiasts and researchers alike.

Habitat: Found near slow-moving muddy rivers, calm lakes, ponds, and sloughs with ample silt or clay substrate.

Appearance

The Jade Clubtail is a medium-sized dragonfly, ranging from 4.5 to 5.2 centimeters in length with a wingspan between 6 and 8 centimeters. It features a pale, jade-green thorax marked with distinct dark brown stripes, and a dark abdomen decorated with yellow-green spots along its top surface. True to its name, the tip of the abdomen is noticeably swollen or clubbed, especially in males. Its large compound eyes are widely separated across the top of its head, a defining family trait, and they typically shine with a grayish-green or light blue hue in mature individuals.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyGomphidaeGenusArigomphus

Jade Clubtail

Interesting facts

The eyes of clubtail dragonflies do not touch at the top of their heads, which is an easy way to distinguish them from other dragonfly families.

The nymph stage of the Jade Clubtail is much longer than its adult stage, lasting up to several years submerged in mud before emerging for a brief adult life of just a few weeks.

Unlike many other dragonfly species that perch high up on twigs, the Jade Clubtail prefers to rest flat on bare mud or low-lying leaves.

Special abilities

As aquatic larvae, they use specialized, shovel-like forelegs to rapidly burrow into mud and silt to ambush prey and hide from larger predators.

Their widely spaced, massive compound eyes provide a nearly 360-degree field of view, enabling them to detect tiny prey or incoming threats instantly.

They can fly forward, backward, and hover mid-air, transitioning instantly into a high-speed dive to intercept flying insects.

Measurements & details

Length: 4-6 cm
Wingspan: 6-8 cm
Weight: 0.001-0.003 kg
Lifespan: 1-3 years
Top Speed: 30 km/h
Clutch Size: 100-500
Incubation: 7-30 days

Diet & Feeding

They are carnivorous predators throughout their entire life cycle, consuming aquatic organisms as nymphs and transitioning to flying insects as adults.

Age differences: As aquatic nymphs, they feed on mosquito larvae, small worms, and other water invertebrates; as adults, they feed exclusively on flying insects caught mid-air.

Primary Foods

Mosquitoes
Midges
Flies
Mayflies
Small moths

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

eaten by

Green Heron

Butorides virescens

Adult clubtails are snatched from low perches or while flying close to the water surface by foraging green herons.

hunts

Common Mosquito

Culex pipiens

Both nymphs and adult clubtails actively hunt and consume mosquito larvae and flying adults, acting as natural population controllers.

eaten by

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

The aquatic nymphs residing in river sediment are a frequent food source for bottom-feeding bluegills.

Traits

No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Jade Clubtail?

The easiest way to identify Jade Clubtail is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Jade Clubtail?

4-6 cm

What is Jade Clubtail's wingspan?

6-8 cm

How much does Jade Clubtail weigh?

0.001-0.003 kg

How long does Jade Clubtail live?

1-3 years

How fast can Jade Clubtail move?

30 km/h

What does Jade Clubtail eat?

They are carnivorous predators throughout their entire life cycle, consuming aquatic organisms as nymphs and transitioning to flying insects as adults.

Where is Jade Clubtail usually found?

Found near slow-moving muddy rivers, calm lakes, ponds, and sloughs with ample silt or clay substrate.