Gomphus pulchellus

Gomphus pulchellus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Gomphidae
Genus: Gomphus
Species: G. pulchellus
Binomial name
Gomphus pulchellus
Sélys, 1840
Gomphus puchellus, female, South of France
Gomphus-pulchellus, in wheel, south of France
Gomphus pulchellus, close-up on female, South of France

Gomphus pulchellus, the western clubtail, is a species of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae. It is found in Western Europe, although absent in the British isles. Its natural habitat are clean ponds and canals, clay and mud holes.

The species is 47–50 mm long. It is the only Gomphidae that lacks the "club-shaped" abdomen, in spite of its name. As an adult, it is mainly pale olive-green with blue eyes.

It emerges early in spring, and can be seen as soon as the end of March in the South of France and flies until August depending on the location.

References

    External links

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