EASTERN RINGTAIL

The dragonfly at left is a male Eastern Ringtail. This is one of my favorite dragonfly species to photograph. They are generally very cooperative for photos, and they are so colorful that I think they should be called rainbow clubtails! 

Eastern Ringtails used to be fairly rare in Ohio. In recent years, they seem to be expanding their range. This is a southern species that might benefit from a warmer climate (unlike most of our clubtails, which are losing ground).

Another female Eastern Ringtail. These dragonflies like to hang out in grassy fields near the river. They perch either on the ground or on the tips of vegetation. 

Another female Eastern Ringtail. This species flies late in the year for a clubtail dragonfly. My sightings range from July 3 to October 7. 

Superficially, Eastern Ringtails bear some resemblance to Flag-tailed Spinylegs, but Eastern Ringtails are smaller dragonflies with smaller clubs. Their hindlegs are also a dead giveaway. This male Eastern Ringtail has short hindlegs with yellow thighs. A Flag-tailed Spinyleg would have much longer hindlegs with spines on them. 

This is a newly-emerged Eastern Ringtail. Its wings are shiny and its flight was weak and fluttery. 

Most clubtails have clear wings, but Eastern Ringtails can have a bit of an amber color in their wings. 

Eastern Ringtails can be surprisingly difficult to spot when they are perched in short grass. There is something about their green, striped patterns that blends in very effectively with short-mowed grass. 

This is a female Eastern Ringtail. The females have shorter and thicker abdomens than the males. 

Most of Ohio's recent Eastern Ringtail records are from the southwestern corner of the state. A few strays have turned up elsewhere in the state, and there are older historic records from northwestern Ohio. 

Most of the photographs on this page were taken along the Great Miami, on the stretch of river between Miamisburg and Middletown. I have also seen Eastern Ringtails on the Mad River at Huffman MetroPark, and in 2025, I found several individuals at Twin Creek near Germantown. 

Eastern Ringtails are little camera hams. This one was mugging for the camera. They love to have their photo taken! 

Last but not least, here is an Eastern Ringtail dragonfly in flight at Huffman MetroPark. This male was patrolling a riffle on the Mad River.