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Bayou Clubtail

Bayou Clubtail is the most well-marked of the four pond clubtails in our region with distinct brown stripes laterally on the thorax. It is generally uncommon, though it may be locally abundant, where it is only occasionally taken in southeastern Texas and Louisiana. The face is yellowish and the thorax is olive green. The middorsal thoracic stripe is entirely divided by a pale carina into a pair of brown widely separated stripes, each narrowing anteriorly. The antehumeral and humeral stripes are present and well developed; the former is slightly wider than the sinuate latter. The mid and third lateral stripes are generally present, but not as well developed, and only visible at their ends. The legs are pale basally becoming black at the tibiae. The wings have a yellow costa and pale pterostigma. The abdomen is olive-green, but darker than the thorax. The middle segments have brown basal and apical rings. Segments 8-9 are reddish-brown and segment 10 and the caudal appendages are yellow.

Total length: 50-54 mm; abdomen: 35-40 mm; hindwing: 28-32 mm.

This species is most similar to Unicorn Clubtail (A. villosipes), which is larger and has a sharp elevation or spine on the occiput. Jade (A. submedianus ) and Stillwater (A. lentulus ) Clubtails are similar but larger and with less well-defined dark thoracic markings.

Ditches, bayous and semi-permanent lakes and ponds with muddy bottoms.

This species was originally described from four males taken in Hardin County, in the Big Thicket area of southeastern Texas. It has since been taken in several other southeastern states. Males perch on open banks near the shoreline where they face the water.

Southeastern U.S. from Florida to Texas.

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