The nymph of the plains clubtail is a large in size with a maximum length of 1 5/16 inches (33 mm).

Its abdomen is thick for most of its length, then tapers to a rounded point at the end of segment ten.

Plains clubtails prefer moderately flowing rivers and large streams with muddy bottoms, and occasionally lakes.

Plains clubtail nymphs can be very selective in their habitat choice and will often occur only in certain stretches of a particular river or stream.

These dragonflies can not tolerate cooler temperatures and are rarely seen flying on cool or cloudy days.

After when both genders mate, the female flies singly, without the male attached, to lay her eggs by dipping the tip of her abdomen into rivers, lakes, or slow streams while hovering above it.

The Tamaulipan clubtail is larger and darker with wider brown thoracic stripes and females lack the erect yellow spines at every end of the postocellar ridge.