Erpetogomphus
compositus
(White-belted Ringtail)
Description:
Naiad-
The naiad of this species is
medium sized. As with other species in this family, the tip of the abdomen
is pointed up. It has small hooks on the top of abdominal segments two through
nine, and a single, rear-facing spine on each side of abdominal segments six
through nine.
Adult-
This is a medium-sized dragonfly with
a length of 1 7/8 to 2 1/4 inches (46 to 55 mm). The face is white and the thorax
is whitish yellow and striped with black. The abdomen is black, with yellowish
or white rings at the segment joints. Only the male
has a clubbed tip of the abdomen.
Range:
This species is found from
northern Oregon east to Wyoming and south to northern Baja California and Sonoran,
Mexico. In Idaho, it is found at desert streams in the southwest corner of the
state.
Habitat:
This dragonfly can be
found near streams and rivers in desert and sagebrush steppe areas.
Adult Flight Season:
Mid-July to mid-August
Diet:
Naiad-
Naiads feed on a wide variety of aquatic insects, such as mosquito larvae, other
aquatic fly larvae, mayfly larvae, and freshwater shrimp. They will also eat
small fish and tadpoles.
Adult-
The dragonfly will eat almost any soft-bodied flying insect including mosquitoes,
flies, butterflies, moths, mayflies, and flying ants or termites.
Ecology:
Clubtail naiads can
be very selective in their habitat choice and will often occur only in certain
stretches of a particular river or stream. They burrow into the sand or mud,
leaving the upturned tip of their abdomen exposed. This allows them to breathe
while buried by pumping water in and out of the tip of the abdomen. Unlike most
species, the Clubtail naiads emerge as adults during the day. Adults generally
fly from mid-July to mid-August. They can not tolerate cooler temperatures and
are rarely seen flying on cool or cloudy days. Hunting occurs from perches on
rocks or twigs.
Reproduction:
Males establish and
defend territories along streams. After males and females mate, the female flies
singly, without the male attached, to lay her eggs by dipping the tip of her
abdomen in a river or stream while hovering above it.
Conservation:
Populations
are widespread, abundant, and secure.
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Global Rank: | G5 |
State Rank: | S? |
References:
Corbet, P. S. 1999.
Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata. Cornell University Press, Ithaca,
New York, USA, 829pp.
Logan, E. R. 1967. The Odonata of Idaho. Unpublished M. S. thesis. University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA, 105 pp.
Needham, J. G. and M. J. Westfall. 1955. Dragonflies of North America. University of California Press, Berkely, California, USA, 615 pp.
Paulson, D. R. 1999. Dragonflies of Washington. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle, Washington, USA, 32 pp.
Walker, E. M. and P. S. Corbet. 1975. The Odonata of Canada and Alaska, Vol. III. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 307 pp.