The Ecology and Distribution of Stylurus spiniceps (Walsh, 1862) (Odonata: Gomphidae)

Jack R. McLachlan^1,2,3,* and Hamish S. Greig^1,2

¹School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, ME, 04469. ²Ecology and Environmental Sciences Program, University of Maine, ME, 04469. ³Sediment Ecology Research Group, University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK. *Corresponding author.

Northeastern Naturalist, Volume 27, Issue 3 (2020): 434–447

Abstract
Herein we synthesize the current understanding of the ecology and distribution of a rarely encountered but broadly distributed dragonfly, Stylurus spiniceps (Arrow Clubtail), and provide new larval records for Maine. Using published and unpublished sources, we construct an account of the distribution, life history, reproductive ecology, and trophic ecology of the Arrow Clubtail, as well as review conservation concerns for the species. We provide new records for the Arrow Clubtail from an atypical habitat—tidal freshwater wetlands—and discuss the importance of these areas for the species. We highlight gaps in our basic natural history knowledge and provide suggestions for future enquiry that could inform conservation measures for this enigmatic dragonfly.

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