River Clubtail vs Silver-spotted Ghost Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute River Clubtail Silver-spotted Ghost Moth
Scientific Name Stylurus flavipes Sthenopis argenteomaculatus
Order Odonata Lepidoptera
Family Gomphidae Hepialidae
Size 50-55mm 60-75 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Root Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Eastern North America
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

River Clubtail

A large clubtail dragonfly with yellow and black markings and a distinctly expanded abdomen tip. It breeds in large lowland rivers with sandy beds. Adults spend much time hanging in tree canopies.

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Did You Know?

Adults spend most of their time high in riverside trees, only descending to water to breed, making them hard to observe.

Silver-spotted Ghost Moth

A large ghost moth from North America with silver-spotted wings. Caterpillars bore into the roots of alder trees, taking two years to develop. Adults emerge for brief nocturnal mating flights.

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Did You Know?

Larvae spend up to two years boring through alder tree roots in waterlogged soil before pupating.