Macromiidae - River Cruisers

The dragonflies in this family are known for flying right down the middle of streams and rivers at high speeds. They even fly right down the middle of roads! 

River cruisers are large dragonflies. Most species in this family have green eyes that almost meet at the top of their heads.

Females in this family lay their eggs by dipping the tip of their abdomen in the water as they fly over it.

There are nine species found in North America.

Macromiidae Photo Gallery

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct Not Enough Data
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist.

U.S. Status Key Threatened in US Endangered in US Introduced Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife. Click on U.S. status icon to go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife species profile.

New Hampshire Status Key Threatened in NH Endangered in NH Breeds in NH Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Location Key
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH Click for More Info Click for Image

New Hampshire Species		North American Species
Swift River Cruiser - Macromia illinoiensis Stream Cruiser - Didymops transversa		Allegheny River Cruiser - Macromia alleghaniensis  Bronzed River Cruiser - Macromia annulata  Gilded River Cruiser - Macromia pacifica Mountain River Cruiser - Macromia margarita  Royal River Cruiser - Macromia taeniolata Western River Cruiser - Macromia magnifica

Selected Species Around the World
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH
Regal Pond Cruiser  - Epophthalmia elegans  Macromia erato  Macromia flinti  Macromia irina  Macromia katae  Macromia kubokaiya  Splendid Cruiser  - Macromia splendens Club-tailed Cruiser  - Macromia urania   Rainforest Cruiser  - Macromia viridescens   Two-banded Cruiser  - Phyllomacromia contumax		Phyllomacromia funicularioides  Kimmins' Cruiser  - Phyllomacromia kimminsi  Western Double-spined Cruiser - Phyllomacromia lamottei    Unicorn Cruiser  - Phyllomacromia monoceros    Brown-templed Cruiser - Phyllomacromia occidentalis   Clubbed Cruiser  - Phyllomacromia overlaeti  Darting Cruiser  - Phyllomacromia picta Conbo Double-spined Cruiser - Phyllomacromia villiersi

Additional Information

Key: Profile Photos Video Audio NH Species

Allegheny River Cruiser - Macromia alleghaniensis 
The Allegheny River cruiser is found across the eastern U.S. from New Jersey south to Georgia and west to Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Allegheny River Cruiser - Macromia alleghaniensis
The Allegheny River cruiser is found near cool, upland streams.
Source: Odonata Central - Texas Natural Science Center Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School

Bronzed River Cruiser - Macromia annulata
The bronzed river cruiser is found in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas , and Mexico.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Bronzed River Cruiser - Macromia annulata 
The bronzed river cruiser is found near large rivers and streams.
Source: Odonata Central - Texas Natural Science Center Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School

Gilded River Cruiser - Macromia pacifica
The gilded river cruiser is found from Ohio and Indiana south to Texas.
Source: Odonata Central - Texas Natural Science Center Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School

Mountain River Cruiser - Macromia margarita
The mountain river cruiser is found in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Royal River Cruiser - Macromia taeniolata
The royal river cruiser is found in the eastern U.S. from  Delaware south to Florida and west to Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Source: Odonata Central - Texas Natural Science Center Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School

Stream Cruiser - Didymops transversa
The stream cruiser is found in the eastern U.S. and Canada from Manitoba to Nova Scotia and south to Texas and Florida.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Stream Cruiser - Didymops transversa
The stream cruiser is found near large streams and rivers.
Source: Odonata Central - Texas Natural Science Center Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School

Swift River Cruiser - Macromia illinoiensis
The Swift River cruiser is found in the eastern U.S.
Source: Odonata Central - Texas Natural Science Center Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School

Swift River Cruiser - Macromia illinoiensis
The Swift River cruiser is also known as the Illinois River Cruiser.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Western River Cruiser - Macromia magnifica
The western river cruiser is found from southern British Columbia south to California and Arizona.
Source: Odonata Central - Texas Natural Science Center Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School

Western River Cruiser - Macromia magnifica
The western river cruiser is 2.5-3 inches in length.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Splendid Cruiser  - Macromia splendens
The splendid cruiser is found in France, Portugual, and Spain.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School