THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION

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

Only one species in the family Petaluridae, the black petaltail (Tanypteryx hageni), is found in the Pacific Northwest. This dragonfly inhabits western Oregon, western Washington, and Northern California. It lives in tunnels that it burrows through wet moss or organic debris at the edges of seeps or bogs at higher elevations.

The black petaltail is similar to the clubtails (Gomphidae), but its antennae have 6 or 7 short, thick, fuzzy segments (clubtails have 4). Their bodies are very dark (gray to black) and they have a flat labium. As is typical of dragonfly larvae, their body is thick with 5 relatively short points (no plates) at the end of the abdomen.