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 Forceptails are a widespread Neotropical group. These large,
short-legged clutails have a long, slender abdomens with not
much of a club, but a prominent leaflike projection on
either side of S8 enchances the clubtail look. Male
cerci are brown, large, and forcepts-like, epiproct almost
lacking, but lower edge of S10 is pointed on either side and
without teeth or spines. The female cerci are yellow to orange.
Thorax is dark with vivid pale stripes and the abdomen
largely reddish from the side and with only weakly ringed
look. The wings are hyaline with tan stigmas and yellow
costa veins. Males differ from all other dragonflies
in having a vestigial epiproct that takes no part in
gripping female heads. Instead the lower posterior corners
of S10 are prolonged to catch the occipital crest of the
female during mating. They are related to lesser forceptails and
leaftails of similar size and are often found with them.
Foreceptails can generally be found foraging near treetops,
but sometimes in brush fields or on the ground around
woodland shrubs, Mud-bottomed open lakes and ponds and slow
moving streams. Forceptails have a unique way of flying,
it is fast and smooth with their abdomen raised about 30
degrees but with the club decurved. They are usually active
until sundown.
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