Menu

New Mexico Rare Arthropod Resource

The New Mexico Rare Arthropod Resource

 
Erpetogomphus heterodon (Dashed Ringtail)  


Taxonomy

  • Class: INSECTA
  • Order: ODONATA
  • Family: GOMPHIDAE
  • Genus: Erpetogomphus
  • Scientific Name: Erpetogomphus heterodon Garrison, 1994
  • Common Name: Dashed Ringtail
  • Synonyms:

Taxonomic Name Source


Cameron Eckert ()
Species Occurrence Data From: Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)

Agency Conservation Status



  • SGCN
  • NMDGF:
  • USFWS:
  • BLM:
  • USFS:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern
  • Nature Serve Global: G3
  • NHNM State: SNR
  • NM Endemic NO


Agency Conservation Status



SGCN NMDGF USFWS BLM Status USFS IUCN
Red List		 Nature Serve
Global		 NHNM State NM Endemic
Least Concern G3 SNR NO


Description

Back to top

The Dashed Ringtail is a medium-sized dragonfly. The head and thorax are mostly light green, with some brownish markings. The abdomen is black and white patterned, ending in a club that is patterned black and yellowish brown.

Habitat and Ecology

Back to top

The Dashed Ringtail occurs in shallow, rocky montane streams, often in arid pine-oak woodlands. It is usually found where there is a band of shrubs along the bank of the stream (Abbott and Paulson 2017).

Geographic Range

Back to top

This species has been recorded in southeastern New Mexico, where it is known from two rivers in the Gila Wilderness, west Texas, where it has been recorded in two streams, and Chihuahua, Mexico, where it is known from four streams (Abbott and Paulson 2017, NatureServe 2024). This species is under surveyed, so it may be found in additional occurrences.

Conservation Considerations

Back to top

There are no conservation actions in place for this species. While it occurs in several protected areas, such as the Davis Mountains and Balmorhea State Parks in Texas, and the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico, very little is known about the species. Therefore, research is needed to better understand the current distribution and status.

Threats

Back to top

Threats to the watersheds where this species is found include overgrazing by cattle and forest fires (Dunkle 2004). These threats may destabilize the stream flow or adversely impact water quality (NatureServe 2024).

Population

Back to top

This species is not monitored closely, so the population size and trend are not known (Abbott and Paulson 2017).

Links: