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Species Details

Ophiogomphus colubrinus

Freshwater Invertebrate Collection Read more about this collection »

Common NameBoreal Snaketail SeasonalityFlying from early May to late August or early September (Needham et. al., 1955). IdentificationColoration is dominantly green on the head, eyes and thorax, with a black outline around the labrum and facial sutures as well as black lateral stripes on thorax. Eyes do not meet dorsally on the head. The anterior thoracic strip is divided by a narrow green line seen in many other Ophiogomphus species. Legs are entirely black, except for trace green markings on the femora and tibia of females. The abdomen is primarily black with interrupted dorsal and lateral stripes that appear bright yellow and noticeably widen on enlarged segments 7, 8 and 9 and continue on to the caudal appendages of males. Length of the abdomen can vary up to 10mm between individuals. Unlike most other species, male boreal snaketails have small dark coloured horns on their head similar to females; however, females of this species have two pairs of horns, one in front and one behind the eye (Needham et. al. 2000).

Scientific Name Ophiogomphus colubrinus Common Name Boreal Snaketail Seasonality Flying from early May to late August or early September (Needham et. al., 1955). Identification
Coloration is dominantly green on the head, eyes and thorax, with a black outline around the labrum and facial sutures as well as black lateral stripes on thorax. Eyes do not meet dorsally on the head. The anterior…
Coloration is dominantly green on the head, eyes and thorax, with a black outline around the labrum and facial sutures as well as black lateral stripes on thorax. Eyes do not meet dorsally on the head. The anterior thoracic strip is divided by a narrow green line seen in many other Ophiogomphus species. Legs are entirely black, except for trace green markings on the femora and tibia of females. The abdomen is primarily black with interrupted dorsal and lateral stripes that appear bright yellow and noticeably widen on enlarged segments 7, 8 and 9 and continue on to the caudal appendages of males. Length of the abdomen can vary up to 10mm between individuals. Unlike most other species, male boreal snaketails have small dark coloured horns on their head similar to females; however, females of this species have two pairs of horns, one in front and one behind the eye (Needham et. al. 2000).
Life History
In 2004, K. Gibbs et. al. studied several species of Ophiogomphus coexisting in Maine. Ophiogomphus colubrinus was not included in this study, but it can be assumed that it has a similar life history to its close…
In 2004, K. Gibbs et. al. studied several species of Ophiogomphus coexisting in Maine. Ophiogomphus colubrinus was not included in this study, but it can be assumed that it has a similar life history to its close relatives because of the discovery of synchronous emergence patterns of Ophiogomphus species. Sexually mature adults are completely terrestrial and are capable of flying great distances over land in search for food, but most of the adult life is spent near water where mate selection, reproduction and oviposition take place. Mating usually occurs during June, July and August. Females oviposit their eggs close to a shallow freshwater source. Aquatic naiads emerge from the eggs during the summer and molt 9 to 15 times as they develop into the final instar larvae. The final instars enter diapause to overwinter under the ice and emerge from the water two years later. Metamorphosis is complete when the larvae emerge from the water and then molt into winded adults.
Conservation Not currently a concern. The boreal snaketail is widespread and extremely abundant within its range. Diet Info
Diet is likely very similar to other species of Ophiogomphus, consisting mainly of mosquitoes and other aquatic flying insects found near water.

Naiad diet includes aquatic larvae and other small animals it is able to…

Diet is likely very similar to other species of Ophiogomphus, consisting mainly of mosquitoes and other aquatic flying insects found near water.

Naiad diet includes aquatic larvae and other small animals it is able to grasp, like fish and tadpoles.

Range Found commonly coast to coast across Canada and north eastern United States, but not common south of Pennsylvania.

Citation

Page Citation for Ophiogomphus colubrinus

Page Citation

"Species Details - Ophiogomphus colubrinus, Freshwater Invertebrate Collection." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/5-28198/10-58055. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Authorship

Name Moore, E.
Role species page author
Date 2013

References

Specimen Information

There are 8 specimens of this Species.

8 results plotted on map in 4 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

IN892 - Ophiogomphus colubrinus

Freshwater Invertebrate Collection

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Sand River (Undet.) Collected BySoluk, D. A. Date Collected1980-07-02

IN1542 - Ophiogomphus colubrinus

Freshwater Invertebrate Collection

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pembina River Collected ByBaker, R. L.

IN1543 - Ophiogomphus colubrinus

Freshwater Invertebrate Collection

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pembina River Collected ByBaker, R. L.

IN3345 - Ophiogomphus colubrinus

Freshwater Invertebrate Collection

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Athabasca River Collected ByA.O.S.E.R.P. Date Collected1977-05-17

IN3346 - Ophiogomphus colubrinus

Freshwater Invertebrate Collection

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Muskeg River (Undet.) Collected ByA.O.S.E.R.P. Date Collected1977-06-10

IN3347 - Ophiogomphus colubrinus

Freshwater Invertebrate Collection

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Athabasca River Collected ByA.O.S.E.R.P. Date Collected1977-06-10

IN3348 - Ophiogomphus colubrinus

Freshwater Invertebrate Collection

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Muskeg River (Undet.) Collected ByA.O.S.E.R.P. Date Collected1977-06-11

IN3349 - Ophiogomphus colubrinus

Freshwater Invertebrate Collection

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Muskeg River (Undet.) Collected ByA.O.S.E.R.P. Date Collected1977-08-23