THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION

Aquatic Invertebrates in Pacific Northwest Freshwater Wetlands
An Identification Guide and Educational Resource

Clubtails can be found in pools and margins of streams and other faster flowing waters. Most are moderately tolerant.

The clubtails are true burrowers and have an extra lobe near the end of their front legs (see image to the lower right) that is used for digging in gravel, sand, or silt. They bury themselves and wait for prey. Many have modifications that allow them to extend their abdomen above the burrow and continue to get dissolved oxygen from the water.

Clubtails have short, thick, 4-segmented antennae. The 3rd segment of the antennae is very large, while the 4th or last segment is tiny. The labium is flat (not scoop-like). It is difficult to identify Gomphidae to genus and species.

Size: large to xlarge
Identifying feature(s): digging lobe on front legs, and short, thick, 4-segmented antennae with enlarged 3rd segment
Habitat: mostly found in faster flowing waters.
Tolerance to pollutants: most genera are moderately tolerant; the genus Ophiogomphus is sensitive