docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

After the move from Rehoboth Beach I finally got some time together to scout out some places in the county to survey. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission renovated a lake in the northern part of the county and it seemed like a good place to start.
Upon arrival I walked to the edge of the lake which had knee high emergent vegetation and immediately saw a fairly large dragon take off down the shore line. Meet the Unicorn Clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes). This dragon is found mainly in the northeastern quarter of the United States. You will find them patrolling the shoreline of muddy bottom lakes and ponds. You won't find them at streams and rivers like other clubtails. They seem to patrol about a ten foot section of shoreline and will tolerate males of other species even sharing their perch. They seem to realize that they are not competing of the same species with which to mate. I have found them mainly on bare patches of dirt or gravel or on an algae mat. But occasionally they will perch up on a plant.

Unicorn Clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes) M by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

In this one you can see they emerge in mud and this one who is fairly teneral he is still pretty dirty. He was kind enough to perch up.
Unicorn Clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes) M by
Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Now, why is it called a Unicorn Clubtail. As small as it is, if you look carefully, there is a small hornlike projection from the occiput (the space between the eyes at the top of the head) It is marked with a black arrow in this picture.

Unicorn Clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes) M by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

I hope you enjoyed these guys. I will post some of the other Odes I was lucky enough to find. Have a great day!
>i< Doc

jrvinson45 Loc: Buckeye, AZ

Thanks for the education, Doc. I will look forward to seeing you take an image of one in-flight and making that identification. Amazing you can do it without a straight pin through his thorax and a loupe 🤓.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Outstanding set and information, Doc!

Lady Red Loc: Puget Sound, WA

Very nice! You are now living close to where my hubby grew up. And I lived there for eight years.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

A great set and a nice narrative, too. A fine post, Doc.

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

You give me the incentive to go find some of my own to shoot. Seeing things like this always makes me go search for something interesting to broaden my knowledge. It amazed me to find out that the nymph stage can last as long as five years while the adults are only good for around five weeks. Wow, forever young (almost). Thanks for the pics and expertise. We've been talking about heading for Codorus sometime soon, just another reason to go... pretty good for birding too. I'm guessing it's about an hour from you, but you've got a lot of water nearby in the Lancaster area.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

In flight pictures are not my speciality. I have a few that turned out but it takes a day that is dedicated to just shooting in flight pics. Sitting, watching their behavior, their flight patterns and of course some luck. I'm not always sure if people are interested in my observations or information but I include it. Thanks for looking in and have a great day!
>i< Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Thank you Mike. It was a start. There are a lot of streams, lakes and rivers to explore. I'll post more from that survey soon.
>i< Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

I lived here as a child and after college spent 44 years over in Berks County. Moved to Rehoboth Beach, DE for 3 years and now I've completed the circle. Glad to be home! Thanks for looking in and commenting.
>i< Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Thanks for the encouragement Ken. It was a fun day out and had some nice finds including a county record.
>i< Doc

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Fantastic set!!!!!Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Thanks for looking in and commenting. It was a nice day out. I've been to Codorus many years ago. Nice place. You're right it's about an hour from where I am now. Studying the naiad stage of these creatures is as interesting as the adult stage. A few years back I got into collecting exuviae while photographing. I have hundreds on the table waiting to be identified to species. I'll tell you calculus was easier but it's challenging.
>i< Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Hey Frank! Thanks for the encouragement. Coming from a real photographer that's really appreciated. I consider myself just a taker of pictures trying to get the field marks for correct ID. Sometimes they cooperate and sometimes they don't. Have a great day my friend!
>i< Doc

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

Excellent photos, Doc. I'll check out that area.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Excellent set Doc