UNICORN CLUBTAIL Arigomphus villosipes

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES OF WEST VIRGINIA SPECIES PAGE

Clubtails are an interesting group, noted for their widened abdomen (toward the rear of the insect), and for having eyes that do not touch. Coloration of males and females is essentially similar.

The Unicorn Clubtail is among the more common Clubtails found in West Virginia.

Eyes of the Unicorn Clubtail are blue-green or gray-green. The thorax is a grayish-green color, and has black markings. On some individuals the markings on the side of the thorax are reduced or even absent.

Abdominal segments 1-7 have yellow marks on the dorsal surface, as well as yellow marks along the sides. Segments 8 and 9 are black above, and the final segment, segment 10, is yellow above, as are the appendages. Segment 9 has dark rusty coloration along the sides.

This species may be seen in late Spring as well as in summer. It frequents ponds and slow-moving streams, and may be found at lakes at the area where the stream flows into the lake.

Those with good eyes may notice that the male Unicorn Clubtail flies with his abdomen raised, but with segment 10 pointed downward.

On most Unicorn Clubtails the markings on the sides of the thorax are reduced or even absent. Eyes are gray-green to blue-green.

The top of segment 10 and the top of the appendages are yellow. Segment 9 has a dark rusty area along its sides. Segments 8 and 9 are black above.

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