DRAGONHUNTER Hagenius brevistylus

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES OF WEST VIRGINIA SPECIES PAGE

The Dragonhunter is the largest member of the Clubtail family. As its name implies, it is a bold predator. Dragonhunters often capture dragonflies nearly their own size. They also feed on butterflies, like the hapless Monarch shown here, and other large insects.

The eyes are green and widely separated. The face is yellow, and the overall size of the head is small compared with the robust thorax. Males and females are similar in color and markings.

Dragonhunters’ favored perches are along streams, although they may also be found some distance from water.

Males have a distinctive flight posture, with the abdomen often curved under so that the profile is that of the letter "J."

Dragonhunters have a fairly wide distribution in West Virginia and probably occurs in most counties. While records are lacking for many western counties in West Virginia, this may not accurately reflect the range, since there are records from nearby counties in Kentucky and Ohio.

The yellow stripes are thin on the dorsal thorax, but thick on sides of the thorax. The eyes are green and widely separated. The face is yellow and may have a black stripe.

The club on this member of the Clubtail family is relatively modest. Yellow spots adorn the sides of the abdomen.

Markings on the top of the abdomen are fairly modest. Typically these include thin yellow lines on top, and a yellow spot on segment eight.

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