Nebraska Dragonflies and Damselflies

Riverine Clubtail

Stylurus amnicola

Walsh, 1862

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The Riverine Clubtail is a member of the Stylurus, or Hanging Clubtail, genus. These clubtails perch on leaves, which tip with their weight, leaving the dragonflies hanging nearly vertically. The Riverine Clubtail is small and has a vivid black and yellow pattern, including a three-pointed star on the top of the thorax. The face is variably mottled black, and the eyes are dark green. Abdominal segments 8 and 9 have large yellow spots on the sides. The female is yellower than the male.

Uncommon. This is a midwestern species with records east to the Atlantic and west across two-thirds of Nebraska. Sometimes it is common as emergingtenerals on grassy backs banks of rivers and streams.

Riverine Clubtail
Riverine Clubtail. Photo courtesy of Troy Hibbitts.
Riverine Clubtail map

Green indicates accepted county record (specimen or photograph).
Yellow indicates sight record only.


Size: 47-49 mm (1.9 in)

Habitat: rivers with rapid currents

Great Plains Range: KS, NE, MO, IA, MN

Flight season: mid June to lat July



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