Club Tailed Dragonfly (Gomphus vulgatissimus)

Size: - Approximate Length 50m - Wing Span 64mm

Male: - This is a robust medium sized dragonfly (Anisoptera), where immature males are yellow and black. When mature the yellow areas turn to the palest of greens tending to yellow except on the flanks of abdominal segment 8 & 9 which remain bright yellow.

Unique among British Anisoptera both sexes of this species eyes fail to meet across the upper surface of the head. The wings are clear, with the inner trailing edge of the hind wing, exhibiting a semicircular cut

This narrative was kindly written and supplied by Mr Ken Crick

All Photography by Chris Brooks

Click on the thumb-nails to enlarge the images.

out and angular transition to the true trailing edge.

Female: - Black and yellow with a heavy looking abdomen. The hind wing has a smooth curved transition without a cut out.

Status: - Rare in the UK but can be locally abundant. Limited to only a few sites.

Habitat: - Rivers with slow to moderate flow rates with mud or silt substrate.

Flight period: - Second week in May to last week in June.

General: - Adults emerge synchronously, early to mid May and rapidly disperse, some up to 10 km. They can be found feeding in woodland clearings.

Riverside banks with good tree cover are preferred, males selecting a perch from which to launch forays in search of food and / or females. There seems to be a total lack of aggression towards any other species of

dragonfly present at the river. Copulation appears to take place away from the immediate egg-laying site.

Females appear suddenly flying low over a suitable sluggish parts of the river, they are alone. As they over fly the water they drop eggs, occasionally just touching the surface presumably to wash away any of the remaining eggs.