Laura’s Clubtail

Species information

This chapter provides a review of progress towards the protection and recovery of Laura’s Clubtail in Ontario from 2007 to 2016.

Laura’s Clubtail (Stylurus laurae) is a medium-sized dragonfly about six centimetres long. The face is dark brown with one or two dark-coloured cross bars, and the eyes are large and green. The thorax has prominent green or yellow stripes and the abdomen is dark with a narrow yellow dorsal stripe. Like other clubtails, there is a widening at the end of the abdomen that is a distinguishing feature for the species. Laura’s Clubtail requires both aquatic and terrestrial habitats during its lifecycle. Eggs are laid on the surface of fast flowing water and hatch between five and 30 days later. The larvae spend two to four years at the bottom of the stream, feeding on one-celled organisms, invertebrates, small fish and tadpoles. They emerge from the water in June and moult, leaving the exuviae (the skin left behind after the adults emerge) behind. Like other dragonfly species, the adults are strong fliers and prey on a variety of small flying insects.

The species’ geographic range covers most of the eastern United States. In Ontario, it was first documented in 1999 in the southwestern part of the province along two tributaries flowing into Lake Erie through the Norfolk Sand Plain, Big Creek and Big Otter Creek (Catling and Catling 1999). The climate here is one of the warmest in Canada, and the creeks have good flows and are relatively unpolluted. The species favours watercourses with sand or silt bottoms and wooded shorelines. Adults forage at riffle areas, perch on streamside vegetation and use nearby forest for cover and additional foraging.

Laura’s Clubtail faces several threats to its survival and recovery including habitat degradation and alteration to both aquatic and terrestrial habitat. Threats to its aquatic habitat include anthropogenic activities that cause changes to water flow rates, such as large-scale water removal for irrigation, channelization, and dams. Other threats include changes to water pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature levels, as well as the negative impacts on water quality caused by run-off containing pesticides, herbicides and road salt entering the streams where the species occurs. Terrestrial habitat is threatened by shoreline alteration and loss of riparian vegetation that supports larval habitat, which could negatively impact Laura’s Clubtail populations. Also, adults tend to remain in wooded areas near the breeding sites and do not disperse to other habitat patches (Williamson 1932, Catling and Catling 1999).

The survival and recovery of Laura’s Clubtail are influenced by other factors as well. Invasive species such as the Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) have the potential to significantly alter aquatic habitat for Laura’s Clubtail. Road mortality of adults is another threat, particularly in areas where roads cross and fragment stream habitat (COSEWIC 2010).These factors continue to limit the distribution of the species in Ontario.

Laura’s Clubtail is listed as endangered at the provincial level (Species at Risk in Ontario List); it is not listed under the federal Species at Risk Act . Globally, it is considered to be apparently secure (NatureServe).

Provincial status

The Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) assessed Laura’s Clubtail as endangered. As a result, it was added to the Species at Risk in Ontario List under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA or “the Act”) in 2010. In future assessments, COSSARO may consider information gained through protection and recovery actions regarding the species’ threats and trends in population and distribution.

Species and habitat protection

Protecting Laura’s Clubtail and its habitat are key components in the implementation of the ESA, and continue to be government-led actions as identified in the government response statement. As an endangered species, Laura’s Clubtail has been protected from being killed, harmed, harassed, captured or taken under the ESA since it was listed in 2010. In addition, the species’ habitat has been protected from being damaged or destroyed since 2010. Habitat protection for the species was initially based on the general habitat definition in the ESA. The habitat of Laura’s Clubtail is now protected through a habitat regulation that came into force in 2014.

The government developed the habitat regulation (Ontario Regulation 242/08, Section 28.0.0.1) for Laura’s Clubtail to provide clarity to the public and others on what areas are protected as its habitat. The regulated habitat includes areas that are required by the species to carry out its life processes within its range in Ontario. The habitat regulation was developed based on information about the habitat needs of the species as well as social and economic factors, collected from a variety of sources, including comments received through public consultation.

Any person who negatively impacts Laura’s Clubtail or its habitat without prior authorization may be prosecuted under the ESA.

Recovery strategy

A recovery strategy for Laura’s Clubtail was published on December 7, 2011. Recovery strategies are advice to government and represent the best available scientific knowledge. The strategy identifies the habitat needs of Laura’s Clubtail and the threats that it faces, while recommending objectives and approaches for protecting and recovering the species. The recovery strategy also includes recommendations on the areas of habitat to be considered in the development of a habitat regulation.

Government response statement

Sources of information

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (“the Ministry”) published the government response statement (GRS) for Laura’s Clubtail on September 7, 2012, which was within the timeframe required by the ESA. The GRS is government policy that contains the Government of Ontario’s goal for the recovery of Laura’s Clubtail.

To help achieve this goal, the government leads and supports recovery actions identified in the GRS. Common actions for the government to lead as it works towards achieving a species’ recovery goal are provided in section 2.5 of the Species at Risk Program Status (2008-2015). A specific action for the government to lead to help protect and recover Laura’s Clubtail is:

• Develop a survey protocol to be used by proponents and partners to detect the presence or absence of Laura’s Clubtail.

The GRS for Laura’s Clubtail also lists seven actions the Ministry supports others to undertake for the species. These government-supported actions fall under the objectives identified in the GRS, which are:

• Determine the distribution, abundance, and habitat needs of Laura’s Clubtail;
• Improve knowledge of Laura’s Clubtail threats, biology and habitat; and
• Protect, maintain and enhance the quantity and quality of existing Laura’s Clubtail habitat.

Government-funded projects

An important government-led action in the GRS for Laura’s Clubtail is to support partners to undertake activities to protect and recover the species. Through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program, the Ministry has supported one project designed to contribute to the protection and recovery of Laura’s Clubtail. The project targeted multiple species at risk, including Laura’s Clubtail, and the partner reported that they were successful in securing additional funding from other sources. The purpose of the project was to conduct surveys for Laura’s Clubtail along Big Creek, Big Otter Creek and other rivers and tributaries in the area. GPS referencing was done to map suitable habitat features, such as wooded shorelines and riffles, in areas where Laura’s Clubtail was known to occur and any new locations where they were discovered. Another project goal was to recommend habitat restoration and management actions to assist with the protection and recovery of the species.

Three main activities involving Laura’s Clubtail were undertaken:

1. Inventory surveys for the species were conducted along Big Creek, Big Otter Creek and several other rivers and tributaries in the area;
2. Suitable habitat areas were geo-referenced; and,
3. Mortality surveys were conducted at locations were roads crossed the waterways.

From the surveys, the majority (81%) of exuviae collected were for Laura’s Clubtail, with a total of 99 counted. Exuviae were found on Big Otter Creek and Big Creek, both north (as much as 3 km further away) and south of sites where the species was previously recorded. Two new locations for the species were discovered — a single exuvium was collected from South Otter Creek and another one from Little Otter Creek. The species had not been previously recorded at these particular sites, but they are considered to belong to existing populations.

Habitat management activities recommended in the report include the creation of features such as sediment basins, wetlands and oxbow scars on both Big Creek and Big Otter Creek. These features help minimize excess sediment and nutrients from entering the creeks, and also enhance creek base flows. The recommended oxbow scars and wetlands adjacent to Big Creek would also provide more area for dragonfly foraging activities.

Efforts to minimize adverse effects on Laura’s Clubtail

Supporting partners through permits and their associated conditions is an important government-led action.

One ‘protection or recovery permit’ (i.e., 17(2)(b)) permit has been issued for Laura’s Clubtail since the species has been protected under the ESA. ‘Protection or recovery permits’ are issued if the purpose of the activity is to assist the protection or recovery of a species at risk.^{footnote 1[1]}

The permit was issued to enable surveys to determine presence or absence of the species on lands secured by a national conservation partner. In order to minimize adverse effects while surveying for Laura’s Clubtail, an animal care protocol was required and all individuals were promptly released, after identification, at the point of capture.

No activities that pertain to Laura’s Clubtail have been registered for the purposes of Ontario Regulation 242/08 under the ESA since the registry was established in 2013.

Occurrences of Laura’s Clubtail in Ontario

Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC)

Two populations^{footnote 2[2]} of Laura’s Clubtail have been documented in Ontario. Both populations, one at Big Creek and the other at Big Otter Creek in southwestern Ontario, are considered to be extant (i.e., observed within the past 20 years).

Laura’s Clubtail was first discovered in Ontario in 1999 at Big Otter Creek. In 2008 and 2009, targeted streambank surveys were conducted by experts along both Big Otter Creek, and the other Ontario location, Big Creek. Although no mature adults were observed at either location, a total population estimate of 580 was made in 2008, based on counts of larvae, exuviae (the skins left behind after the adults emerge) and tenerals (newly emerged adults that are not yet ready to fly) (COSEWIC 2010). In 2011, surveys resulted in documentation of 99 exuviae along Big Creek and Little Otter Creek that included two new locations for the species. These two new observations include a single exuvium collected from South Otter Creek and another one from Little Otter Creek. The species had not been previously recorded at these particular sites, but because they are considered to belong to existing populations, the number of records in the provincial database has not changed.

Since the species was listed in 2010, the Ministry’s central repository at the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC), has received approximately 67 records of the species. These records are based on observations between 1999 and 2011 and come from a variety of sources. Records submitted have helped to redefine where the species is known and has been known to occur and have provided additional information on the species’ habitat and threats. Survey efforts from 1999 to 2011, including the two new observation sites, have confirmed that the insect is persisting in Ontario.

It is possible that there are observations of Laura’s Clubtail that have not been submitted to the Ministry. Encouraging the submission of observations of Laura’s Clubtail to the Ministry is included in the GRS as a government-led action. Submission of species observations to the Ministry increases our knowledge of where they occur and can play an important role in assessing the viability of populations.

Everyone is encouraged, or may be required by an authorization or approval, to submit observations of the Laura’s Clubtail, and any other species at risk observed, to the Natural Heritage Information Centre for incorporation into the provincial record of observations.

Summary of progress towards meeting the recovery goal

Summary of progress

Progress has been made toward the majority of both the government-led actions and government-supported actions outlined in the GRS for Laura’s Clubtail. The Government of Ontario has directly undertaken actions to:

• Educate other agencies and authorities involved in planning and environmental assessment processes on the protection requirements under the ESA;
• Encourage the submission of Laura’s Clubtail data to the Ministry’s central repository at the Natural Heritage Information Centre;
• Undertake communications and outreach to increase public awareness of species at risk in Ontario;
• Protect Laura’s Clubtail and its habitat through the ESA. Develop and enforce a regulation identifying the specific habitat of the species;
• Support conservation, agency, municipal and industry partners and Aboriginal communities to undertake activities to protect and recover Laura’s Clubtail; Support will be provided where appropriate through funding, agreements, permits (including conditions) and advisory services; and
• Establish and communicate annual priority actions for government support in order to encourage collaboration and reduce duplication of efforts.

Government-supported actions are organized under over-arching recovery objectives. Progress has been made toward all of the government-supported recovery objectives and the majority of the associated actions identified in the GRS for Laura’s Clubtail.

Under the objective to determine the distribution, abundance, and habitat needs of Laura’s Clubtail, initial progress has been made towards one of the actions:

• Develop and implement a standardized survey and monitoring program to determine the water quality of habitat, identify potential habitat, and track Laura’s Clubtail distribution and abundance (Action No. 1; High Priority).

This action has been implemented through a project supported by the Species at Risk Stewardship Program and an accompanying ESA authorization to survey for Laura’s Clubtail to determine additional ranges for the species and to identify and document suitable habitat.

Under the objective to improve knowledge of Laura’s Clubtail threats, biology and habitat, initial progress has been made towards one of the actions.

• Undertake research on the basic biology of Laura’s Clubtail to address knowledge gaps (e.g., determine microhabitat characteristics) (Action No. 5).

This action has been implemented through a project supported by the Species at Risk Stewardship Program that included a road mortality survey, and documentation of the habitat where the species was found, as well as recommendations for further study and mitigation of impacts on the species’ habitat.

Under the objective to protect, maintain and enhance the quantity and quality of existing Laura’s Clubtail habitat, initial progress has been made toward the sixth action.

• Develop and promote approaches to mitigate impacts and restore aquatic habitat and natural vegetation bordering along occupied reaches of streams; distribute to the public, landowners and land managers (Action No. 6).

This action has been implemented through a project supported by the Species at Risk Stewardship Program that included providing recommendations for supporting and coordinating habitat improvement activities among local land managers and landowners.

The recovery goal for Laura’s Clubtail is to ensure the long-term survival of a self-sustaining population within its current range in Ontario. Effort made toward the government-led and government-supported GRS actions has helped to make progress towards this goal. In 2011, exuviae of Laura’s Clubtail were discovered along two creeks where the species had not been previously documented, one site along South Otter Creek and another site along Little Otter Creek. Overall, survey data from 1999 to 2011 incorporated into the provincial record of observations indicates that the species is persisting in Ontario.

Recommendations

As stated in the GRS, the review of progress towards protecting and recovering Laura’s Clubtail can be used to help identify whether adjustments are needed to achieve the protection and recovery of the species. Based on progress to-date, the overall direction provided in the GRS for Laura’s Clubtail should continue to guide protection and recovery actions for the species, particularly for those actions identified as high priority in the GRS. Relative to actions that have received a higher level of support, the following actions have received less support and may be considered in future decisions regarding the protection and recovery of Laura’s Clubtail:

• Actions for which progress has been limited should be supported in future implementation planning, such as integrating searches for Laura’s Clubtail into ongoing benthic inventory programs in streams across Ontario (Action No. 2); and
• Although initial progress has been made, further work is required to fully implement these actions: determine the impacts of threats such as decreased water quality, invasive species, and road mortality on populations of Laura’s Clubtail (Action No. 3; High Priority), determine why Laura’s Clubtail appears to occur naturally in only a few of the apparently suitable rivers in Ontario (Action No. 4), and undertake research on the basic biology of Laura’s Clubtail to address knowledge gaps (e.g., determine microhabitat characteristics) (Action No. 5).

Moving forward, protecting and recovering Laura’s Clubtail will continue to be a shared responsibility that will require the involvement of many individuals, organizations and communities. Financial support for the implementation of actions may be available through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program. The Ministry can also advise if a proposed project may result in adverse impacts to the species or its habitat and, if impacts cannot be avoided whether an authorization may be required. By working together, progress can continue to be made towards protecting and recovering Laura’s Clubtail in Ontario.

Summary of progress toward the protection and recovery of Laura’s Clubtail (2007 to 2016)

Provincial status

Laura’s Clubtail is classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA). The species has been protected from being killed, harmed, harassed, captured or taken and its habitat has been protected from damage or destruction under the ESA since 2010. Habitat protection for the species is now based on a habitat regulation that came into force in 2014.

Species-specific documents and guidance published by the government

• Recovery Strategy for Laura’s Clubtail (2011)
• Laura’s Clubtail: Ontario Government Response Statement (2012)
• Laura’s Clubtail Habitat Regulation (Ontario Regulation 242/08) (2014).

Government-supported stewardship projects

• Through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (“the Ministry”) has enabled a stewardship partner to conduct one project that has supported the protection and recovery of multiple species at risk, including Laura’s Clubtail.

Supporting human activities while ensuring appropriate support for species recovery

• The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (“the Ministry”) has issued one ‘protection or recovery permit’ under clause 17(2)(b) of the ESA.

Occurrences and distribution

• Two populations of Laura’s Clubtail have been documented in southwestern Ontario. Currently, they are both extant. No changes in the status of the populations have occurred since 2010.
• In 2011, additional targeted surveys resulted in the documentation of 99 exuviae, and the discovery of Laura’s Clubtail at two sites where the species had not been previously documented, one site along South Otter Creek and another site along Little Otter Creek. This is strong evidence that the two known populations of Laura’s Clubtail in Ontario continue to persist.

Related information

• Categorizing and Protecting Habitat under the Endangered Species Act
• Habitat Regulation Summary for Laura’s Clubtail
• Natural Heritage Information Centre
• Ontario’s Endangered Species Act
• Ontario’s Endangered Species Act Regulation 242/08
• Ontario Recovery Strategy and Government Response Statement for Laura’s Clubtail
• Policy Guidance on Harm and Harass under the Endangered Species Act
• Species at Risk in Ontario List
• Species at Risk Stewardship Program

References

Catling, P.M. and C.H. Catling. 1999. Laura’s Clubtail (Stylurus laurae) new to Canada. Argia 11(3):10-11.

COSEWIC. 2010. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Laura’s Clubtail Stylurus laurae in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vi + 34 pp.

Williamson, E.B. 1932. Two new species of Stylurus (Odonata Gomphinae). Occasional Papers of the Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan. 247:1-18.