Cobra Clubtail vs Twin-spotted Spiketail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cobra Clubtail Twin-spotted Spiketail
Scientific Name Gomphus vastus Cordulegaster maculata
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Gomphidae Cordulegastridae
Size 58-68 mm 68-78 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Cobra Clubtail

A large North American clubtail with a dramatically flared abdomen tip and bold yellow markings. It patrols large rivers and is a powerful, fast flier.

💡

Did You Know?

Its abdomen tip flares out so dramatically that it resembles a cobra's hood, inspiring its common name.

Twin-spotted Spiketail

A large, dark brown spiketail with paired yellow spots on each abdominal segment. It is the most common spiketail in eastern North America.

💡

Did You Know?

Its larvae lie partially buried in stream-bottom leaf litter and ambush passing prey.