Riffle Snaketail / Ophiogomphe de Carole
Ophiogomphus carolus
Fundy Nature Notes, Quotes and Anecdotes 2
Riffle Snaketail, Ophiogomphe de Carole
(Ophiogomphus carolus)
Adult size: 40-45 mm
First Fundy record: June 8th, 2014 at Wolfe Lake. Three associated teneral (with their exuvia) individuals were found in the process of emerging. (Denis Doucet and 12 other participants in an outing at the Nature NB AGM at Fundy National Park)
Status/Habitat: Relatively common and widespread in the Maritimes. This species is mainly associated with shallow riffles in woodland streams, hence its name. Look for it especially along clear, rapid-flow, rocky to sandy-bottomed streams and rivers. This is perhaps the most common Snaketail in the Maritimes, but Snaketails in general are wary and hard to observe; several species apparently spend much of their adult lives in the tree canopy near rivers.
Flight period in New Brunswick: Most emerge early in the second week in June in the extreme SW to late June in the N, becomes rare in late July/early August (dates May 22nd- August 27th).
ID hints: Best to confirm in hand with the claspers of the male; however, through binoculars, note black legs, usually without any pale parts; sometimes tibiae have a pale stripe, unlike the Brook Snaketail, which generally has pale femora. It also has an, unmarked pale green face (Boreal Snaketail and Extra-striped Snaketail have black stripes on theirs) and wide yellow stripes all the way down the dorsal surface of the abdomen.
Nature Notes: Common to abundant along a number of the cleaner, swifter-flowing watercourses in New Brunswick, this is perhaps the most easily spotted of the seven species of Snaketails in our region. This is mainly due to its propensity for perching on stones or boulders, often in mid-stream near riffles, but also along exposed river banks.
-In flight, it is often seen flying low above riffles and rapids. Also perches in vegetation along the edge of the watercourse, where it is decidedly better camouflaged, often choosing broad-leaved plants to do so. However, like other members of the genus, will also perch frequently in the crown of trees, making it very difficult to locate and belying its actual abundance.
-Naturalist John Acorn also mentions regularly spying Snaketails in silhouette perched on broad leaves in the tops of the tree along rivers in Alberta and Saskatchewan. A better hint to their actual abundance is how thickly their exuviae (cast-off larval skins) can be found along some rivers in mid to late June. At this time, a quick pass through the grasses on the edge of the water may quickly fill your hand!
Sources and Credits
- (c) Denis Doucet, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Denis Doucet
- (c) Denis Doucet, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
More Info
iNaturalist.ca Map
| Family | Gomphidae |
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