Gomphidae

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Gomphidae
Austrogomphus guerini
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
(unranked): Epiprocta
Suborder: Anisoptera
Family: Gomphidae
Genera

see text

The Gomphidae are a family in the Odonata commonly referred to as clubtail dragonflies; it contains about 90 genera and 900 species. The name refers to the club-like widening of the end of the abdomen (abdominal segments 7 through 9). However, this club is usually less pronounced in females and is entirely absent in some species.

Paragomphus lineatus, male
Paragomphus lineatus, female

Clubtails have widely separated eyes, a trait they share with the Petaluridae and with damselflies. Adults are usually from 40 to 70 mm in length.

Most gomphids breed in streams or rivers.

  • Gomphidae wing structure: Note the similar-sized triangles of the front and hind wings and the widely separate eyes.

  • Pair of yellow-striped hunters mating

  • Gomphus vulgatissimus, showing the "clubbed" abdomen characteristic of the family

  • Common clubtail, Ictinogomphus rapax

Etymology

The name may be derived from Latin gomphus or gond meaning hinge.

Genera

External links

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