The top dragonfly predator in North America would have to be the
dragonhunter. These dragons are found through out the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. I photographed this black dragon, as they are sometimes called, on the shores of the Snake River where it meets the St
Croix River.
The only member of the genius H
agenius, they are the largest of the North American dragonflies, averaging 3.3 inches long. They are fairly easy to identify due to their large size and their habit of flying with their
abdomen curled under in a sort of "J" shape.
The
dragonhunter is legendary for their ferociousness. They have been known to eat large butterflies and dragonflies, this includes other large dragons such as darners,
clubtails and even other
dragonhunters. They are immune to some types of wasp poisons and to the toxins that build up in monarch butterflies due to their milkweed diet. Typically when hunting they ambush from above, dropping down on their prey like the river
jewelwing damselfly that this
dragonhunter is eating.
The top dragonfly predator in North America would have to be the dragonhunter. These dragons are found through out the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. I photographed this black dragon, as they are sometimes called, on the shores of the Snake River where it meets the St Croix River.
The only member of the genius Hagenius, they are the largest of the North American dragonflies, averaging 3.3 inches long. They are fairly easy to identify due to their large size and their habit of flying with their abdomen curled under in a sort of "J" shape.
The dragonhunter is legendary for their ferociousness. They have been known to eat large butterflies and dragonflies, this includes other large dragons such as darners, clubtails and even other dragonhunters. They are immune to some types of wasp poisons and to the toxins that build up in monarch butterflies due to their milkweed diet. Typically when hunting they ambush from above, dropping down on their prey like the river jewelwing damselfly that this dragonhunter is eating.
11 comments:
That is amazing - is he eating a damselfly?
Very interesting! I learn a lot from other bloggers...
Amazing, vivid details.
Such clear details!
Wonderful details of the dragonfly!
I love dragonflies, they *look* so primaeval! Lovely shots.
"king" of the dragons indeed.
Excellent.
GLASS EYE - my link if you'd like to view my macro this week.
Wonderful shots of this creature. I hope to see more of them this summer. We live on the banks of French Creek in SW New York state and Dragons are something I'm always looking for.
Stop by my blog if you have a minute.
Becky
Sure looks like a fearsome hunter. FAB.
last year I was watching tow of these Dragonhunters on a limb over the river and another came in and snatched up one of the Dragonhunters. So they are cannibals too.
Great pictures on the Dragonhunter !
Interesting to read about them too :)
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