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Ophiogomphus colubrinus
Boreal Snaketail
Family: Gomphidae
Species account author: Robert Cannings.
Extracted from Introducing the Dragonflies of British Columbia and the Yukon (2002)
Introduction to the Odonata of BC
The Families of Odonata of BC

Photograph

© Robert A. Cannings     (Photo ID #1039)

Map

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Distribution of Ophiogomphus colubrinus in British Columbia.
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Source: (for the static map) RBCM and BCCDC 2004 ©

Species Information


Description

The face is green with black stripes. The thorax is bright green with brown stripes, including one on the side behind the forewing base. Length: ♂ ♀ 47 mm.


Flight Period

B.C., mid June to early September.

Genus Description


Most snaketails live in eastern North America. The three species in B.C. fly along clear streams and lakeshores; uncommon in settled areas, at least partly because the burrowing larvae are sensitive to changes in water flow and siltation, and they are especially affected by poor logging practices. The mature adult’s thorax is green; younger adults are more yellow. The abdomen has white or yellow marks on the sides and yellow spots on top; this snake-like pattern gives the genus its English and scientific names (ophio is Greek for “snake” and gomphos means “bolt” or “arrow”). The hindwings have a three-celled anal loop. Male’s upper appendages are short and usually pointed in side view.

Biology

Family Description

A large family, but poorly represented in our region. B.C. has only six species and the Yukon appears to have none (although two species may live in the southeast). Compared to some other families, clubtails are not common here, but they are easily recognizable by their widely separated eyes and their green or yellow bodies striped in brown and black. The tip of the abdomen, especially in males, is enlarged, giving them their English name. Females lack an ovipositor and drop their eggs directly into clear streams and along the sandy shallows of larger lakes; they lay their eggs without the protection of their mates. Larvae burrow in the bottom sediments of these water bodies.
Field Notes

The most northern of all North American clubtails and the only transcontinental clubtail inhabiting boreal forests. Uncommon, but can be abundant in the right habitat – clear, warm streams flowing out of forest lakes. Larvae burrow in the sand and gravel on the stream bottom; adults perch on the ground or on streamside vegetation.

Distribution


Northern. Widespread in northern B.C., and south to the Cariboo; it may occur in the southeastern Yukon, but it has not been found there yet.

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeS4YellowNot Listed



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