Black-shouldered Spinyleg Dromogomphus spinosus Selys, 1854    
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Arthropoda   >   Class Insecta   >   Order Odonata   >   Family Gomphidae   >   Genus Dromogomphus   

Status:

Black-shouldered Spinyleg (Dromogomphus spinosus) is a large clubtail species with long hind legs. The femurs have prominent spines, which probably help in capturing large prey items. This clubtail breeds in a wide range of rivers and creeks, with mud or rocky substrate, and sometimes will even utilize lakes (Paulson, 2011). This species appears to tolerate some degree of degraded water quality (B. Coulter, pers. obs.). In Maryland, this dragonfly has been recorded across nearly the entire state, with the exception of several coastal plain counties. It is considered common in the state (Richard Orr's The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Maryland and the District of Columbia).

There are 315 records in the project database.

View images at BugGuide

View taxon at iNaturalist

View taxon at NatureServe

Search Google Images

Search MBP Facebook posts (beta | requires login)


[View seasonality details]
GA AL WA FR CL MO HO BA BCHA CE PG AA CVCHSM KE QA CN TADO WISOWO
Black-shouldered Spinyleg in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/24/2018). (c) Jim Moore, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jim Moore. (MBP list)

A Black-shouldered Spinyleg in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/14/2018). Photo by Lisa Shannon. (MBP list)

A male Black-shouldered Spinyleg in Harford Co., Maryland (7/4/2016). Determined by Dan Jackson/BugGuide. Photo by Shannon Schade. (MBP list)

A Black-shouldered Spinylegs in Washington Co., Maryland (2007). Photo by Hans Holbrook. (MBP list)

A Black-shouldered Spinyleg in Washington Co., Maryland (8/5/2014). Photo by Jim Stasz. (MBP list)

A Black-shouldered Spinyleg with prey in Washington Co., Maryland (7/16/2012). Photo by Bonnie Ott. (MBP list)

Black-shouldered Spinyleg in Garrett Co., Maryland (6/8/2007). (c) Bill Hubick, all rights reserved. Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

A Black-shouldered Spinyleg in Washington Co., Maryland (7/14/2018). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

A Black-shouldered Spinyleg in Baltimore Co., Maryland (6/29/2018). Photo by Matthew Addicks. (MBP list)

Close-up of an abdomen of a Black-shouldered Spinylegs at 1000 Acre Heath, Maine (7/4/2010). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

Black-shouldered Spinyleg in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/31/2021). (c) Jim Moore (Maryland), some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jim Moore. (MBP list)

Black-shouldered Spinyleg in Caroline Co., Maryland (6/27/2019). (c) jared satchell, all rights reserved. Photo by Jared Satchell. (MBP list)

Black-shouldered Spinyleg in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (6/16/2021). (c) Jim, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jim via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Black-shouldered Spinyleg in Allegany Co., Maryland (7/1/2019). (c) jared satchell, all rights reserved. Photo by Jared Satchell. (MBP list)

A female Black-shouldered Spinyleg in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/9/2017). Determined by William Edwards/BugGuide. Photo by Matthew Beziat. (MBP list)

Black-shouldered Spinyleg in Montgomery Co., Maryland (8/18/2020). (c) Dave Roberts, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Dave Roberts. (MBP list)

A Black-shouldered Spinyleg in Frederick Co., Maryland (7/4/2017). Photo by Andy Wilson. (MBP list)


View All Images

Use of images featured on Maryland Biodiversity Project is only permitted with express permission of the photographer.