Rapids Clubtail

The rapids clubtail is one of the smaller clubtail dragonflies that we see here in Minnesota. They emerge early in the summer, usually early June and are usually found around large, swift moving rivers with rocky bottoms. Males spend much of their time perched on rocks or plants on the side of the river waiting for prey or a receptive female to fly by. This picture was taken along the St Croix River in Wild River State Park. The St Croix is one of the best places in Minnesota, that I have found, for rapids and other river clubtail species.  

Life as a predator is not easy. Predators have to spend most of their time hunting for prey if they are going to survive. Dragonflies are predators. They eat other insects. Usually dragonflies catch their prey while in flight. This dragon is a rapids clubtail. They are smaller dragonflies that are usually found around larger rivers. They would usually prey on insects about the size of large flies.

 The midland clubtail , pictured above, is a fierce hunter. They are also commonly found around large rivers. They are a mid-sized dragonfly. With their larger size midland clubs will often go after larger prey then their cousins the rapids club.

 Sometimes that may even include the rapids clubtail itself, as pictured in the photo above. This midland is eating the thorax of the rapids club. This was an epic fight with the combatants pretty evenly matched. Usually the first thing that a dragon will do when it catches another dragon is pop off the preys head. but this midland was having a difficult time holding a dragon that was not much smaller then itself. In the end the larger dragon prevailed and the circle of life continued.

Eat or Be Eaten

WARNING: There are parts of this post that are quite graphical. Since nature isn't always pretty I have decided to include a photo that may gross out some people. I am giving you this warning so that if you are squeamish you can decide whether or not you would like to continue.
Dragonflies are predators. They hunt, kill and eat other insects. Unfortunately when you are an insect sometimes the predator can become the prey. All sorts of other creatures often snack on dragonflies. This includes birds, frogs, spiders, wasps and more.
Dragonflies, also often attack and eat other dragonflies. Typically it is the largest dragons that eat the smaller ones. One day while I was out photographing dragonflies at Wild River State Park during the summer I had the opportunity to photograph the life and death struggle between two dragons.
In this case the larger yellow dragon appeared to be a midland clubtail while the smaller one looked like a rapids clubtail. The midland grabbed the rapids by the thorax, most likely coming at it from above, wrapping its legs around the smaller dragon in a death grip. Then its used its jaws to eat out the thorax of the rapids. The rapids club put up a fight. Its attempt to break free flipped the pair over on their backs but it could not break the grip of the larger dragon. I don't think that the midland was quite finished with its meal but it decided to use caution around the large predator that was taking photos. As you can see from the last photo there was not much left of the rapids clubs thorax. Perhaps the midland returned later after I left to finish its meal otherwise I am sure that scavengers like ants, bees, or spiders finished the job.

Raplids Clubtail

This dragonfly is a rapids clubtail, Gomphus quadricolor. It is a member of the Gomphidae, or clubtail family, genus Gomphus. Here in Minnesota they are one of the earlier dragons. They begin to emerge by the end of May and are gone by mid July.

Rapids clubtails are usually found around large rocky streams and rivers, typically where there is a swift current. Females lay their eggs in these swift currents. The eggs then get washed down the river or stream and end up in quiet pools which is perfect habitat for the nymphs. The nymphs will live in these pools until it is time for them to emerge into their adult form. Then they will crawl out of the water and into dense aquatic vegetation to emerge. I photographed this dragon along the St Croix River in Wild River State Park.