The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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North Carolina's 189 Odonate species
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Related Species in GOMPHIDAE: Number of records for 2023 = 6

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
[View PDF]		Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus) by Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin
Compare with: Black-shouldered Spinyleg   Riverine Clubtail  
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
Note: these identification tips apply to both sexes. Female depicted here.

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Map
Click on county for list of all its records for Dragonhunter
Flight Charts
Distribution Nearly statewide, though apparently absent from the northeastern and far eastern parts of the state. No records east of Hertford, Martin, and Carteret counties.
Abundance Generally fairly common in the mountains and foothills, uncommon to fairly common over most of the Piedmont, but uncommon in the Coastal Plain. Despite its very wide range -- found in most NC counties, it is seldom really common and not nearly as often seen as the Lancet and Ashy clubtails (though the Dragonhunter flies later in the season than those two).
Flight Mainly from mid-May (rarely as early as late April) to late September; most often seen from early June to early September.
Habitat Generally breeds at swift-flowing streams and rivers, rarely at lakes. Prefers forested waters as opposed to very wide, sunny streams.
Behavior Males often patrol conspicuously up and down the middle of a river or large stream, easily recognized by its very large size and unusual habit of curling the tip of the abdomen downward into a "J" shape. Though most often seen perching on a rock within the stream, or on vegetation very low to the water, they also perch on bare ground, at times allowing for easy observation. As with a few other large dragonflies, such as Comet Darner, a male Dragonhunter is extremely territorial, and you are not likely to see but a single male patrolling a stretch of river or creek.
Comments This is one of the largest of all dragonflies, and the male's habit of flying with the abdomen tip curled in a "J" shape makes it undoubtedly the easiest of the clubtails to identify on the wing. As the common name implies, it is quite predatory on other species of dragonflies, their main quarry. The species is monotypic -- the only species in its genus.
State Rank S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-10 10:10:07
Photo Gallery for Dragonhunter   49 photos are available.
Only the most recent 30 are shown.
Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: Matt Spangler

Comment: Chatham, 2023-06-02, Haw River--Bynum Dam (by kayak)		Photo 2 by: Harry LeGrand, Lori Arent

Comment: Richmond; C, 2022-08-17, Sandhills Game Land -- Bagget Lake area - one consuming a Southeastern Spinyleg. Photo by Lori Arent
Photo 3 by: Kevin Metcalf

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2022-07-06, - One photographed, Neck Road in Huntersville		Photo 4 by: Guy McGrane

Comment: Watauga, 2022-07-02, Brookshire Park
Photo 5 by: Matt Spangler

Comment: Chatham, 2022-06-17, Haw River--Bynum Dam		Photo 6 by: Matt Spangler

Comment: Chatham, 2022-05-15, Haw River--Bynum Dam - recently emerged, with exuvia
Photo 7 by: Jan Hansen

Comment: Moore; C, 2020-09-02, Lake Bagget		Photo 8 by: Jan Hansen

Comment: Orange, 2020-07-29, Brumley Forest North-Near the graveyard - eating a Monarch
Photo 9 by: John Petranka

Comment: Orange, 2019-05-30, Eno River State Park (ENRI) Cole Mill Section along powerline. - Female.		Photo 10 by: Pete Dixon

Comment: Madison, 2019-05-29, River Road, 1:30-4:30 pm, Broadwing farm to Murray Branch, sunny, high 80s
Photo 11 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Hoke, 2018-09-03, Lumber River, from Wagram Boating Access Area to Lumber River State Park - Chalk Banks boat ramp and back, by kayak		Photo 12 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Alleghany, 2018-07-15, New River @ SR 1345 (Farmers Fish Camp Rd.)
Photo 13 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Anson, 2018-07-06, Pee Dee River; 2 km stretch upstream from Diggs Tract Access, by kayak		Photo 14 by: Rob Van Epps

Comment: Yadkin, 2018-06-03, Pilot Mountain State Park - Yadkin River section
Photo 15 by: Rob Van Epps

Comment: Yadkin, 2018-06-03, Pilot Mountain State Park - Yadkin River section		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Duplin, 2017-09-24, Northeast Cape Fear River, from Chinquapin Boating Access Area to 3 km upstream and 1 km downstream, by kayak
Photo 17 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Buncombe, 2017-08-17, Carrier Park, Asheville - Female		Photo 18 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt

Comment: Graham, 2017-07-19, Cheoah River just below Santeetlah Dam at the boat launch. - Male. Preying on male Widow Skimmer. First record for Graham County
Photo 19 by: Guy McGrane

Comment: Watauga, 2017-07-05, Brookshire Park		Photo 20 by: Conrad Wernett

Comment: Jones, 2017-06-24, - Two females spotted attacking other odonates and perching along the Trent River.
Photo 21 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Rutherford; P, 2017-06-02, Morse Park, Lake Lure 		Photo 22 by: Richard Stickney

Comment: Bladen, 2017-05-22, South River, Sloan's Bridge boat launch - teneral female
Photo 23 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Robeson, 2016-08-27, Lumber River, between Boardman Boating Access and Lumber River State Park Princess Ann Access		Photo 24 by: Mark Swanson

Comment: Avery, 2016-07-28, - Male photographed near Linville River.
Photo 25 by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin

Comment: Yancey, 2016-07-26, Along Dam Road and the Cane River in Burnsville.		Photo 26 by: Richard Stickney

Comment: Wilkes; P, 2016-07-25, Stone Mountain State Park - all males
Photo 27 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Jones, 2016-06-04, White Oak River between Quarry lakes and Dixon Field Landing		Photo 28 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Bladen, 2016-05-27, Black River
Photo 29 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Brunswick, 2015-09-05, Waccamaw River - along 4 km stretch upstream of NC 904 bridge		Photo 30 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Onslow, 2015-08-29, Southwest Creek by kayak, from tidal marsh to swamp forest