Identification

Field Marks

• Average adult size is from approximately 1.9 to 2.2 inches
• Green eyes with bold black markings on the face.
• Thin stripes on the top of thorax with a lot of black space in between.
• Yellow top spots on segments 1 to 7 of the thorax
• Side spot on segment 8 is small and does not reach the edge.
• Side spot on segment 9 is larger and continues to the edge with no black margin
• Club is about equal in width to the thorax

Field Marks

• Female is colored similarly to the male
• The female has yellow side spots on the abdomen
• Yellow top spots on abdomen are bigger
• Does not have as large of a club as the male

Similar Species

• Skillet Clubtail
• Cobra Clubtail has slightly smaller club than Skillet Clubtail
• Cobra Clubtail has bold facial markings, the Skillet Clubtail has none
• Differences between the width of the stripes on top of the thorax
• Midland Clubtail
• Cobra Clubtail has bold facial markings, the Midland Club has none
• The Cobra Clubtail does not have a top spot on segment 8, the Midland Clubtail does
• Splendid Clubtail
• The Cobra Clubtail is almost a quarter smaller than the Splendid Clubtail
• There are differences on the yellow side spots on segment 8 between the species

Behavior

Often found perched on plants, bushes, rocks or on the ground beside a river or stream.

Habitat

Large rivers and streams, often with sandy or silty bottoms. Also sometimes found around large lakes.

Reproduction

Mating usually occurs while perched on plants or shrubs or in the upper parts of trees. Females lay eggs by flying over the water and tapping or dipping the tip of the abdomen into the water to wash eggs off.