Male. Taken in the Brenne, France on June 25th 2010. Click image for larger version.
(1/125th sec at F11. Approx 2x life size.)
Teneral. Taken near Goring, Oxon on May 23rd 2010. Click image for larger version.
(1/60th sec at F16. Approx 2x life size.)
Head closeup. Taken near Goring, Oxon on May 23rd 2010. Click image for larger version.
(1/125th sec at F16. Approx 7x life size.)

© David Hastings

Description

Wingspan: 56 - 66mm; Body length: 45 - 50mm
 
The Common Clubtail is a medium sized species with a distinctively club-shaped abdomen. Females and teneral males are mainly black with extensive yellow markings on the thorax and abdomen. As the male matures most of the yellow markings turn green although the spots on the sides of abdominal segments 7-9 remain bright yellow. Unlike most dragonflies the eyes are separate and do not meet at the top of the head. In mature adults they are dull green.
 
In Britain this species is typically associated with unpolluted, meandering rivers. Silty substrates are favoured as the larvae are burrowers, living in the mud and silt. Inhabited reaches are typically adjacent to woodland, as it provides cover for the adults. Common Clubtails spend most of their adult life away from water, perching on the ground, on bushes and in treetops. They are often found in woodland and use the tree canopy more than most species. This behaviour makes them difficult to locate.

Sightings

04-Jun-2011	:	Lardon Chase, Berks (1m)
25-Jun-2010	:	The Brenne, France
21-May-2010	:	Thames nr Goring, Oxon (6)