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Macromiidae - River Cruisers

There are 125 species in this family. Nine species of river cruisers are found in North America.

The dragonflies in this family are known for flying right down the middle of streams and rivers at high speeds. They even fly right down the middle of roads!

River cruisers are large dragonflies. Most species in this family have green eyes that almost meet at the top of their heads.

Females in this family lay their eggs by dipping the tip of their abdomen in the water as they fly over it.

  • The swift river cruiser is also known as the Illinois river cruiser. It is found across New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Swift River Cruiser
    (Macromia illinoiensis)
    The swift river cruiser is also known as the Illinois river cruiser. It is found across New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The splendid cruiser is found in France, Portugal, and Spain. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Splendid Cruiser
    (Macromia splendens)
    The splendid cruiser is found in France, Portugal, and Spain. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The royal river cruiser is found in the eastern U.S. from Delaware south to Florida and west to Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Texas. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Royal River Cruiser
    (Macromia taeniolata)
    The royal river cruiser is found in the eastern U.S. from Delaware south to Florida and west to Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Texas. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The two-banded cruiser is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Two-Banded Cruiser
    (Phyllomacromia contumax)
    The two-banded cruiser is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

The royal river cruiser is one of the species found in this family.
The royal river cruiser is one of the species found in this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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