Ophiogomphus australis, the most southern member of its genus, is known to occur at a few sites in southern Alabama and Mississippi. In addition, nymphs that appear to be identifiable to O. australis have been collected in streams farther north in both states. The habitat for this rare dragonfly -- clean, flowing streams with a gravel substrate -- has been drastically altered by gravel mining, clear cutting, and other land use changes.