Shropshire Birder
Dragonflies and Damselflies of Shropshire
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Common Club-tail (Gomphus vulgatissimus)
The Common Clubtail as it now officially known breeds in slow flowing rivers and the Severn is a continuous local source. Quite large but not quite in the Hawker league, it is a striking dragonfly, emerging in May and on the wing normally through June/July. The base colour is black with either a yellow or lime green pattern and a swollen tip to the abdomen. The male is predominantly black with an obvious 'club' shaped tip, the female has a much thicker abdomen which is less clubbed. After emergence, adults soon disperse over quite a distance and can be chanced upon in the most unlikely of places!
A teneral male just abbout to take it's maiden flight. Immature males have yellow rather than green colouration on the thorax and upper abdomen (this will develop with age) .....
From this angle the waisted shape of the male is apparent with swollen 'club' towards the tip. .....
A female showing the typical appearance, the 'clubbed' appearance of S8 and 9 can be seen.
The same female from a slightly different angle.
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