NC Odonate Website

Related Species in GOMPHIDAE:		Number of records for 2024 = 17
Added in 2024-00-00 from a previous years = 2 (2017-06-02) (2023-09-14)

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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

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Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-10 10:10:07

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Dragonhunter 56 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2024-07-07, William O Huske Lock and Dam 3, NC - 3:00PM at edge of the river		Photo 2 by: J.Buie Comment: Stokes, 2024-06-11, HARO - 2 individuals seen near play wave on the dan river while kayaking @ -80.254689, 36.430874
	Photo 3 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2022-06-08, South River Bridge Wildlife Ramp, Garland - 11:00AM - Exuvia on boat ramp		Photo 4 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Chatham, 2023-06-02, Haw River--Bynum Dam (by kayak)
	Photo 5 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 6 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Mecklenburg, 2022-07-06, - One photographed, Neck Road in Huntersville
	Photo 7 by: Guy McGrane Comment: Watauga, 2022-07-02, Brookshire Park		Photo 8 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Chatham, 2022-06-17, Haw River--Bynum Dam
	Photo 9 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Chatham, 2022-05-15, Haw River--Bynum Dam - recently emerged, with exuvia		Photo 10 by: Jan Hansen Comment: Moore; C, 2020-09-02, Lake Bagget
	Photo 11 by: Jan Hansen Comment: Orange, 2020-07-29, Brumley Forest North-Near the graveyard - eating a Monarch		Photo 12 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2019-05-30, Eno River State Park (ENRI) Cole Mill Section along powerline. - Female.
	Photo 13 by: Pete Dixon Comment: Madison, 2019-05-29, River Road, 1:30-4:30 pm, Broadwing farm to Murray Branch, sunny, high 80s		Photo 14 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 15 by: Mike Turner Comment: Alleghany, 2018-07-15, New River @ SR 1345 (Farmers Fish Camp Rd.)		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields Comment: Anson, 2018-07-06, Pee Dee River; 2 km stretch upstream from Diggs Tract Access, by kayak
	Photo 17 by: Rob Van Epps Comment: Yadkin, 2018-06-03, Pilot Mountain State Park - Yadkin River section		Photo 18 by: Rob Van Epps Comment: Yadkin, 2018-06-03, Pilot Mountain State Park - Yadkin River section
	Photo 19 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 20 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2017-08-17, Carrier Park, Asheville - Female
	Photo 21 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 22 by: Guy McGrane Comment: Watauga, 2017-07-05, Brookshire Park
	Photo 23 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Jones, 2017-06-24, - Two females spotted attacking other odonates and perching along the Trent River.		Photo 24 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Burke; M, 2017-06-21, Linville River at Blue Ridge Parkway Linville River Campground. - Males.
	Photo 25 by: Mark Shields Comment: Rutherford; P, 2017-06-02, Morse Park, Lake Lure		Photo 26 by: John Petranka Comment: Surry, 2017-06-02, Elkin. Elkin City Park, along Big Elkin Creek. Elkin and Alleghany RR Trail. - Male.
	Photo 27 by: Richard Stickney Comment: Bladen, 2017-05-22, South River, Sloan's Bridge boat launch - teneral female		Photo 28 by: Mark Shields Comment: Robeson, 2016-08-27, Lumber River, between Boardman Boating Access and Lumber River State Park Princess Ann Access
	Photo 29 by: Mark Swanson Comment: Avery, 2016-07-28, - Male photographed near Linville River.		Photo 30 by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin Comment: Yancey, 2016-07-26, Along Dam Road and the Cane River in Burnsville.