Prepared by T. Pulfer, C. Bahlai and L. Mousseau

Laura’s Clubtail (Stylurus laurae) is a member of the dragonfly family Gomphidae. It is found from Texas and the Florida Panhandle up to southwest Ontario, where it is found in the Norfolk Sand Plains physiographic region. Currently there are only two known populations in Ontario – Big Creek and Big Otter Creek. Laura’s Clubtail is listed as an endangered species on the Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO) List and was assessed as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

Laura’s Clubtail requires a high quality aquatic environment and a vegetated riparian area, preferably consisting of mature forests. It is generally found in or near small to medium sized streams with sand or silt substrate and overhanging trees or shrubs. Adults use riffles in the stream for foraging, mating and probably to lay eggs. Eggs or recently emerged larvae are carried downstream to pools. Adults are short-lived with breeding and egg-laying occurring within weeks of adult emergence.

The main threat to the survival and recovery of Laura’s Clubtail is habitat degradation or alteration to both the aquatic and terrestrial habitat. Aquatic habitat threats include changes to water flow rate, pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, nutrient load, pollution, dam construction and changes to water quality. Terrestrial habitat threats include shoreline alteration and loss of riparian habitat. Invasive species (especially Round Goby) and road mortalities are also thought to negatively affect Laura’s Clubtail, but the pressures these are exerting on the population are unknown and require further study. Limiting factors include a limited distribution and apparent sensitivity to specific habitat features. Knowledge gaps include an overall lack of species-specific information (including mating and foraging behaviours, physical tolerances to changes in stream condition and pesticides or herbicides), quantitative assessment of road mortalities and extent of the distribution in Ontario.

The recovery goal is to ensure a viable, self-sustaining population of Laura’s Clubtail in Ontario. The protection and recovery objectives are to:

  • protect, maintain and enhance the quantity and quality of existing Laura’s Clubtail habitat;
  • reduce or mitigate threats to Laura’s Clubtail and its habitat where feasible; and
  • increase knowledge of Laura’s Clubtail biology in Ontario including distribution, abundance, life history and habitat needs.

It is recommended that all stream reaches (aquatic resource areasfootnote 1 as defined by OMNR) currently occupied by Laura’s Clubtail, as well as the naturally vegetated areas on either side of the stream, extending inland 200 metres (the typical distance the dragonflies travel between reproductive and roosting habitats) be prescribed as habitat under the Endangered Species Act, 2007.