Spiketails & Cruisers
What are they?
Spiketails are fairly large dragonflies which resemble some of the smaller darners. They are generally an attractive bunch, which makes them worth seeking out - though they are often elusive denizens of woodland streams.
Identification
This can be a difficult group to find as they mostly inhabit wooded areas. The color and pattern of spots on the abdomen and the markings on the sides of the thorax are all useful characters to aid identification.
Twin-spotted Spiketail Calopteryx dimidiata
Length: 2.6-2.8 inches. Flight time: April to July. An uncommon species which may be found in the north of the county in woodland clearings. Females may also be found egg-laying along gravel-bottomed sections of well-wooded streams. This species can be told by the two pairs of pale yellow marks on each abdominal segment. Females have a spike-like ovipositor.
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ovipositor |
Delta-spotted Spiketail Calopteryx diastatops
Length: 2.3-2.4 inches. Flight time: Late May to early July. An uncommon species which may be found in the north of the county in woodland clearings. Best told from Twin-spotted Spiketail by the single (not paired), triangular marks on the abdomen. (Photos courtesy of Brian Johnson)
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Stream Cruiser Didymops transversa
Length: 2.0-2.2 inches. Flight time: late April to August. Though a widespread species in New Jersey, Stream Cruiser appears to be scarce in Cape May County. Sightings of single individuals are usually not followed by further sightings, suggesting that it wanders widely. A dull brown species that usually remains low and blends well with dead leaves and twigs. Most likely to be found along roadsides and trails in lightly wooded areas or in woodland clearings. The combination of overall rich brown color and single stripe on the side of the thorax is diagnostic.
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Swift River Cruiser Macromia illinoiensis
Length: 2.6-2.8 inches. Flight time: late May to early September. An uncommon species which may be found in the north of the county in woodland clearings. A large, black and yellow dragonfly with green eyes that can be hard to tell from Allegheny River Cruiser. Cape May individuals are of the southern form (georgina) which can be told from the other river cruisers in the area by the short yellow bars at the top of the thorax, just in front of the wing bases.
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