*Blue-faced Ringtail (Erpetogomphus eutainia) male hovering. June 27, 2025, San Marcos River, Luling, Texas. Photo copyright Micah Shively*

DSA October Species of the Month: Blue-faced Ringtail

This month’s DSA Species of the Month is the Blue-faced Ringtail (Erpetogomphus eutainia). This species is in the family Gomphidae (clubtails) and is and is approximately 38-44mm in size (1.5-1.73 inches) according to Dennis Paulson's "Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West." Its preferred habitat is riverbank vegetation. The Blue-faced Ringtail has a scattered distribution ranging from Central America up into central Texas, where it is uncommon. Join naturalist and photographer Micah Shively as he encounters this species for the first time.

What’s in a Name?

The common name “Blue-faced Ringtail” (Erpetogomphus eutainia) is a perfect description. This gorgeous little Clubtail has long been a target for odonate enthusiasts, but has not been found consistently at most reported locations. It was known from the San Marcos River near Luling, Texas, but was last recorded there in the 1970s.

In 2003, the late, great Greg Lasley discovered a population on the Guadalupe River at Independence Park in Gonzales, Texas. For many years this was the most reliable location to see these Ringtails; but there were still years of scarcity.

Fast forward to 2024 when I was in my second year at Texas State University, located in beautiful San Marcos, Texas. While the headwaters of the San Marcos River flow through the university campus, I generally preferred to find peace and quiet by driving 40 minutes east to River Trail Park in Luling, Texas. This park is located on the San Marcos River as well but draws less crowds on weekends.

*Habitat of the Blue-faced Ringtail (Erpetogomphus eutainia). October 12, 2024, San Marcos River, Luling, Texas. Photo copyright Micah Shively*

On October 12, I made the drive to River Trail Park. I waded along a section of the river looking for fish, odonates, and anything else interesting. At around 2:30 pm, a small dragonfly caught my eye. It looked somewhat like an Eastern Ringtail (Erpetogomphus designatus) but was smaller and colored much more vibrant blue-green, especially on the face.

I knew it had to be a Blue-faced Ringtail.

*Blue-faced Ringtail (Erpetogomphus eutainia) male, close-up of the blue face. June 19th, 2025, San Marcos River, Luling, Texas. Photo copyright Micah Shively*

I whipped out my camera and took a few shots as it zipped past. Given my excitement and the dragonfly in motion, the two photos I snapped were incredibly blurry, showing nothing more than general shape and coloration. Unfortunately, it didn’t stick around to let me have another try. A Pale-faced Clubskimmer (Brechmorhoga mendax) chased it off and the Ringtail was gone as quickly as it appeared.

*Blue-faced Ringtail (Erpetogomphus eutainia) male zipping past, the original blurry photo. October 12, 2024, San Marcos River, Luling, Texas. Photo copyright Micah Shively*

I submitted my photos to iNaturalist and Odonata Central, but reasonably no one was willing to confirm the record from my poor shots. I returned the following week, but October was already very late in the season for this species. No luck. All winter, I kept returning to River Trail Park, but found no trace of Blue-faced Ringtails. Not even a nymph.

In late spring of 2025, my luck changed. On May 17, I found 12 exuviae along the bank of the San Marcos River that clearly belonged to the genus Erpetogomphus but were much too small to belong to Eastern Ringtails. I collected them to take a closer look and confirmed they were Blue-faced Ringtail exuviae using Dragonfly Nymphs of North America (Tennessen, 2019) and the original description paper for the nymph (Novelo-Gutierrez, 2005). I was ecstatic that my October sighting now had backup. May 17 was also by far the earliest flight date recorded for this species in Texas.

*Blue-faced Ringtail (Erpetogomphus eutainia) exuviae. May 19, 2025, San Marcos River, Luling, Texas. Photo copyright Micah Shively*

After more than 50 years, Blue-faced Ringtails were back on the San Marcos River! The following weeks, I continued my search and found more exuviae, as well as a nymph. Dr. Benjamin Schwartz from my university was the first to see adults at this location, on May 26. I (and many other odonate chasers) ended up seeing adults frequently throughout the rest of the summer, and the ringtails returned in abundance in 2026 as well.

Why were the ringtails absent from the San Marcos River for so many years? I’m not sure anyone can do more than speculate. Whatever the reason, I’m thankful I can see these little jewels fluttering around.

*Blue-faced Ringtail (Erpetogomphus eutainia) male hovering while facing the camera. July 3, 2026, San Marcos River, Luling, Texas. Photo copyright Micah Shively*

Micah is an undergraduate student at Texas State University studying Aquatic Biology. He is passionate about all aquatic organisms but especially dragonfly nymphs. He can be reached at micahshively@outlook.com. Check out his Instagram account @micahybopsis for more dragonfly and nature photos!

DSA October Species of the Month: Blue-faced Ringtail

Danielle Husband