Family: Macromiidae
Western River Cruiser

Macromiidae: The Cruisers

Family Facts:

• This family is known as the Cruisers. They fly over streams and rivers, generally cruising right down the middle of the stream at high speed. They cruise in the same way over roads. Some species also occasionally occur at lakes.
• In North America, this family contains nine species in two genera. Only one species lives in Idaho.
• These are large dragonflies, somewhat similar to Darners at first glance. Unlike the Darners, however, the eyes are green and just barely meet at the top of the head.
• The females lay eggs (oviposit) by dipping the tip of the abdomen in the water while flying just above the surface. The females oviposit without a male in attendance.
• The naiads of these dragonflies are usually found in streams and rivers, though some species do occur in lakes where there is some water movement.
• The naiads are almost round with very long legs. They sit in the debris on the bottom of streams and lakes and wait for prey to come to them.
• The naiads emerge at night. Emergence is a slow process and the newly emerged adults are very vulnerable to predators. They usually crawl vertically on to vegetation and emerge while vertical.

Genus:Macromia
These are large dragonflies with clear wings. Their coloration is yellow and black with a metallic luster and green eyes. They have slightly widened segments at the end of their abdomens or "clubs". These are most prominent in the males.

Macromia magnifica- Western river Cruiser