| Western Clubtail (Gomphus pulchellus (Selys, 1840)) |
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Scientific name: Gomphus pulchellus (Selys, 1840) Common name: Western Clubtail French name: Gomphe gentil, Gomphe joli. Order: Odonata Suborder: Anisoptera Family: Gomphidae Wingspan: 80mm. Biotope: Low running water or stagnant water. Lakes, oxbow lakes, channels, next to river sand beds or gravel beds. Geographic area: Iberian Peninsula, France, Benelux, western part of Germany. Flight time: April to August with a peak in May-June. |
Unlike other Gomphidae, the Western Clubtail's abdomen in not swollen near the tip. The background colour is pale yellow with black markings. The eyes are pale blue. The black lines on the sides of the thorax are thinner than on other Gomphidae. The black line starting from the base of the forewings and running down to the middle legs is continuous and wavy. The abdomen shows a yellow dorsal line. The legs are marked with yellow on the total length. Pterostigmas are a pale colour. The development cycle of the lava in water lasts several years. |
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This picture was shot with the camera down on the ground. I had to lay down on the ground too, to put my eye in front of the viewfinder. |
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I have surprised this Western Clubtail during its meal. |
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I have observed this Western Clubtail on the banks of a small pond inside the forest. I have only been able to shoot an upper side view, I have not been able to approach walking down near the water. Western Clubtails must not be very common in the region as this is only my second observation, three years after the first one. |
André Bon January 2013