Laura’s Clubtail Habitat Protection Summary

The Laura’s Clubtail is a medium-sized dragonfly which lays its eggs on the surface of fast flowing water. It can be found in and around relatively unpolluted streams with sand or silt substrate and wooded shorelines. The species was assessed by the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) and listed as endangered on September 28, 2010. More information about the species" status can be found at: Laura’s Clubtail webpage.

The habitat regulation for Laura’s Clubtail protects any part of a river, stream or other body of water, up to the high water mark, that is being used by a Laura’s Clubtail or on which a Laura’s Clubtail directly depends in order to carry on its life processes. This aquatic habitat is protected until five consecutive years of documented non-use by a Laura’s Clubtail, as long as habitat conditions remain suitable for a Laura’s Clubtail to carry out its life processes. Areas of natural vegetation, such as forests, swamps, and shrub thickets, within 200 metres of the high water mark, adjacent to the aquatic areas identified above, are also protected.

The regulation applies where the dragonfly occurs in the Counties of Brant and Norfolk, the Municipalities of Bayham and Malahide in the County of Elgin, and Municipalities of Norwich, South-West Oxford, and Tillsonburg in the County of Oxford.

Supporting rationale

• Aquatic habitat is used for egg laying, larval development and foraging.
• Adults and young Laura’s Clubtail travel between water bodies and adjacent areas of natural vegetation to access reproduction, resting and foraging sites such as forests. Protecting these habitat types within 200 metres of a water body represents the average distance traveled by most dragonflies.
• The five-year term allows for sufficient time to determine that the site is no longer being used.

Activities in Laura’s Clubtail habitat

Activities in regulated habitat can continue as long as the function of these areas is maintained and individuals of the species are not killed, harmed, or harassed.

Generally compatible

• Yard work such as maintenance of existing lawns and gardens.
• Pruning of shrubs or trees for maintenance purposes.
• Renovations or the building of small structures such as a shed or a deck.

Generally not compatible^{footnote *[*]}

• Substantial alteration of aquatic habitat, such as altering water quality, flows, levels, or streambed characteristics.
• Significant reduction or clearing of forests and other natural vegetation.
• Large-scale construction, such as a housing development or roads.

Below you will find an example diagram of how this regulation would be applied to protect habitat for this species. It indicates how the protected habitat has been categorized, based on how the species uses the habitat and how much activity or change can occur within the habitat, as per the policy "Categorizing and Protecting Habitat Under the Endangered Species Act". This policy can be found at: Categorizing and Protecting Habitat under the Endangered Species Act web page.

Sample application of the habitat regulation

Enlarge Sample application of the habitat regulation

The content of this summary is provided for convenience only. For accurate reference and the most recent version of the regulation, please view Ontario Regulation 832/21 on e-Laws