Clubtails
Family Gomphidae
Genus Arigomphus
Unicorn Clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes)



Similar species – Lilypad Clubtail (Arigomphus furcifer) and Horned Clubtail (Arigomphus cornutus).


Flight season: early June to late July.

Population: uncommon, found at mud-bottomed ponds and slow streams with little floating vegetation, such as the Moira River in Madoc Township.

Length about 55 mm. The profile of the male's cerci, completely pale (usually) S10, black-tipped spine on the occiput and green eyes separate this species from its Arigomphus relatives.


Madoc Township, a culvert admitting a creek under Kellers Bridge Rd. east of Freds Dr: shallow, narrow sand and mud bottomed river with little floating vegetation, the shoreline supports shrubs such as willow and dogwood.
Male Unicorn Clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes) – due to circumstances the photos were taken from a distance and from less than optimal vantage points but everything discernible points to Arigomphus villosipes.

– the eyes are greenish rather than turquoise
– S10 appears completely pale
– the profile of the pale cerci appears correct
– the pale marks on the dorsal surface of the abdomen are relatively wide, their shapes appear as illustrated in the Algonquin Park Field Guide (especially note S7)
– very little rusty-orange is visible along the sides of S8 and S9
– the shoulder stripes are contiguous
Photos by T. Mapes (June 26, 2015)


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Photo by T. Mapes (July 08, 2015)

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Male Unicorn Clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes) – at least four males were observed at this location (June 26, 2016).


Madoc Township, Riggs Road, east of Highway 62: a wetland supporting graminoids and some willows and alders, with a slow stream running through, bordered by mixed woodland.
Aspects of a male Unicorn Clubtail (Arigomphus villosipes) – two males were present at this habitat (June 26, 2016).