Common Clubtail vs Pacific Spiketail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Clubtail | Pacific Spiketail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gomphus vulgatissimus | Cordulegaster dorsalis |
| Order | Odonata | Odonata |
| Family | Gomphidae | Cordulegastridae |
| Size | 50-55 mm wingspan | 65-75 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Clubtail
A medium-sized dragonfly with a club-shaped abdomen tip and distinctive yellow and black markings. It emerges en masse from rivers in late spring.
Did You Know?
Unlike most dragonflies, clubtails frequently perch on the ground or on flat surfaces rather than hanging from vegetation.
Pacific Spiketail
The only spiketail dragonfly on the Pacific coast of North America. It has a dark brown body with yellow dorsal spots and patrols shaded forest seepages.
Did You Know?
It is the only spiketail species found west of the Rocky Mountains in North America.