NC Odonate Website

Related Species in MACROMIIDAE:

Number of records for 2024 = 15

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
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Stream Cruiser (Didymops transversa) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Distinctive
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.

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Map

Click on county for list of all its records for Stream Cruiser

Flight Charts

Distribution

Essentially statewide, but scarce in the extreme eastern coastal areas (where most dragonfly species are also scarce to absent).

Abundance

Fairly common to common, and very widespread, across the Piedmont and at least the western and southern halves of the Coastal Plain. Uncommon in the lower Coastal Plain and in the mountains (where records are increasing, perhaps simply owing to more surveys). There are very few observers in the northern half of the Coastal Plain, and the scarcity of recent records there should not be taken as a decline in that region.

Flight

Mid-March to mid-July, though primarily in the spring (i.e., mainly in April and May). There are a few records well into August and early September, but the flight is generally over in July. The flight in the mountains starts in early April.

Habitat

A wide variety of creeks and rivers (though typically smaller rivers); rarely at lakes.

Behavior

Males patrol back and forth across streams. Adults are more often seen flying and perched well away from water, along dirt roads, sunny trails, and edges. They perch obliquely on twigs and other vegetation low to the ground, as do spiketails and darners (with which they often fly).

Comments

Other than another Didymops species in Florida, this is the only member of its genus in most of the United States. Though unique from that standpoint, at a casual glance it could be confused with some darners, spiketails, or river cruisers. However, it is easily separated from all but river cruisers by its single yellow band on the side of the thorax, its yellow facial bar, and single pale yellow spots (not paired) on the top of the abdominal segments. The river cruisers have green (or brighter green) eyes and are blacker on the abdomen (not so brown), they fly later in summer, and they seldom perch near the ground. The Stream Cruiser is reasonably unwary, often allowing close study while perched obliquely on a twig.

State Rank

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Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-10 15:09:22

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Stream Cruiser 53 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Durham, 2024-04-06, Near pond on south side of Brickhouse Rd. - Near Duck Blind for handicapped veterans		Photo 2 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2024-04-05, Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest - Edge of the creek path
	Photo 3 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Mecklenburg, 2024-03-21, Piedmont Pines Nature Preserve - one male, one female		Photo 4 by: K. Metcalf Comment: Mecklenburg, 2024-03-21, Piedmont Pines Nature Preserve - 1 male, 1 female observed
	Photo 5 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2024-02-18, Hot Springs, in the French Broad in sand by tree roots		Photo 6 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Macon, 2023-05-13, Highlands--Ravenel Lake
	Photo 7 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2023-04-02, Hollow Rock Nature Park, West of Pickett Road, New Hope Creek Floodplain, Orange County, NHCBP - Female		Photo 8 by: Tom Howe Comment: Swain, 2022-06-06, among vegetation at edge of wetland - female
	Photo 9 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2022-04-17, Polecat Road		Photo 10 by: Hubert Szczygiel Comment: Clay, 2021-04-21, Chatuge Lake, Lat: 35.004712 Lon: -83.777509 . - Female.
	Photo 11 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2021-04-20, Hot Springs area		Photo 12 by: Jan Hansen Comment: Chatham, 2021-04-07, White Pines Preserve - 2 over the Rocky River and another in the power line cut near the parking area
	Photo 13 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2020-05-10, Hot Springs area, River Road, sunny, 60s		Photo 14 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Mecklenburg, 2020-04-21, - Latta Nature Preserve, in powerline ROW
	Photo 15 by: Chuck Smith Comment: Rowan, 2020-04-07, Eagle Point Nature Preserve. - 1 male and 1 female.		Photo 16 by: Jan Hansen Comment: Orange, 2020-04-03, Brumley Forest North-Silo Pond
	Photo 17 by: John Petranka Comment: Burke; M, 2019-05-21, Linville River at Linville Falls Campground, Blue Ridge Parkway. - Male.		Photo 18 by: Chuck Smith Comment: Jackson, 2019-05-14, Panthertown Valley, along Mac's Gap Trail ca. 50 meters southeast of its junction with Granny Burrell Falls Trail. - Female.
	Photo 19 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Montgomery, 2019-04-22, Uwharrie River downstream from mouth of Moccasin Creek		Photo 20 by: John Petranka, Mark Shields Comment: Orange, 2019-04-18, Eno River State Park (ENRI) Cole Mill Section. Along powerline corridor SW of Old Cole Mill Rd. - Both sexes including one mating pair.
	Photo 21 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Wayne, 2019-04-15, Cliffs of the Neuse State Park (CLNE) - female		Photo 22 by: Mark Shields Comment: Chatham, 2018-05-05, White Pines Nature Preserve - males foraging over trail along Rocky River
	Photo 23 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2018-04-13, Stones Creek Game Land		Photo 24 by: John Petranka Comment: Scotland, 2018-04-04, Lumber River State Park (LURI), Chalk Banks Access. - Males.
	Photo 25 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jones, 2018-04-03, Weetock Trail near Haywood Landing, Croatan National Forest - female		Photo 26 by: John Petranka Comment: Watauga, 2017-05-17, Trout Lake, Julian Price Park, Blue Ridge Parkway. - Males.
	Photo 27 by: Mark Shields Comment: Bladen, 2017-04-16, South River at Ennis Bridge Road bridge		Photo 28 by: Curtis Smalling Comment: Robeson, 2017-04-12, at WRC put-in on river; 34.591680, -78.983892
	Photo 29 by: Curtis Smalling Comment: Robeson, 2017-04-12, at WRC put-in on rive;r 34.591680, -78.983892		Photo 30 by: Mark Shields Comment: Columbus, 2017-04-12, Waccamaw River from Pireway Boating Access Area to 6 km upstream