Allegheny river cruiser
ExploreMacromia alleghaniensis
Type: invertebrate
Status: special_concern
Species Guide
Allegheny river cruiser
Macromia alleghaniensis
Species Type: invertebrate
Conservation Status: special_concern
IDENTIFICATION
Ranging between 2.6” -2.8” in length, the Allegheny river cruiser is a large dark cruiser with bright green eyes. The thorax lacks frontal stripes and there are yellow spots on its abdomen. The female is similar in appearance but has a robust cylindrical abdomen.
Distribution & Habitat
This species can be found on large, clean tea-colored rivers with sand and gravel bottoms. They are found in the southern portion of New Jersey especially in the core Pine Barrens.
Diet
Cruisers are the fastest flying dragonflies in New Jersey and prey on flying invertebrates.
Life Cycle
The Allegheny river cruiser is active from early June through late August in New Jersey.
Current Threats, Status, and Conservation
In New Jersey the Allegheny River cruiser is not an abundant species and therefore is considered a species of Special Concern in the state.
References
Text derived from the book, Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Jersey. 2009. By Allen E. Barlow, David M. Golden and Jim Bangma. Edited and updated by Larissa Smith in 2011.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Odonata
- Family: Macromiidae
- Genus: Macromia
- Species: M. alleghaniensis