The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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North Carolina's 189 Odonate species
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Related Species in MACROMIIDAE: Number of records for 2023 = 12

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[View PDF]		Swift River Cruiser (Macromia illinoiensis) by Doug Johnston and John Petranka
Compare with: Allegheny River Cruiser   Mountain River Cruiser   Royal River Cruiser  
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.

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Map
Click on county for list of all its records for Swift River Cruiser
Flight Charts
Distribution Essentially statewide, but as with nearly all such species, it is absent (or essentially so) from the extreme northeastern counties. No records east of Gates, Chowan, or Beaufort counties (except for Hyde County).
Abundance Fairly common and widespread in most of the Piedmont and upper Coastal Plain, including the Sandhills. Uncommon to locally fairly common in the mountains and foothills, as well as the lower Coastal Plain. Certainly the most numerous river cruiser in the mountains, Piedmont, and upper Coastal Plain (though it can be outnumbered in the Coastal Plain by the Royal River Cruiser).
Flight A fairly wide flight period, from late May to mid-October downstate, and at least from late May to mid-September in the mountains. One very late record for 14 November.
Habitat Rivers and creeks, preferably in smaller rivers as compared with large ones.

See also Habitat Account for General Rivers and Large Streams
Behavior Very similar to other river cruisers, it can usually be seen when adults are cruising back and forth on long patrols along dirt roads or wide trails through forests, often well away from water. Males patrol along the length of a creek or small river.
Comments There are two subspecies found in NC and other Southeastern states. The subspecies M. i. georgina ("Georgia River Cruiser") is found across most of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, whereas the nominate subspecies (often called "Illinois River Cruiser") is more northern and is found in the mountains. Most sightings of river cruisers in NC refer to "Georgia", as this form is not uncommonly seen in mid- and late summer along wide trails and dirt roads through forests in the Piedmont. It has more obvious dorsal yellow spots on most abdominal segments than does the nominate subspecies and the Allegheny River Cruiser (which have a large dorsal spot on abdominal segment 7 but fewer spots otherwise on the abdomen).
State Rank S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name Illinois River Cruiser, Georgia River Cruiser
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-11 10:17:45
Photo Gallery for Swift River Cruiser   55 photos are available.
Only the most recent 30 are shown.
Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: P Dixon

Comment: Madison, 2021-07-24, Ivy River, under I-26 Bridge		Photo 2 by: Max Ramey, Aaron Reb

Comment: Wilkes; P, 2021-07-17, Kerr Scott Dam/ Yadkin River (Dam to 1000 ft downstream)
Photo 3 by: P Dixon

Comment: Madison, 2021-07-05, Near the French Broad, downstream from Murray Branch, - One illinoisensis, one georgina		Photo 4 by: Max Ramey

Comment: Watauga, 2021-06-15, Valle Crucis Community Park- Right downstream from property line. - Apparent first county record
Photo 5 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-09-16, Hot Springs area - 2 males, one female, female netted and pictured		Photo 6 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-09-16, Hot Springs area - 2 males sighted, one female ovipositing, female netted and pictured, 72 mm total length.
Photo 7 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-09-11, Hot Springs area - 3 netted, a mated pair observed, a female observed ovipositing 		Photo 8 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-09-11, Hot Springs area - 3 netted, a mated pair observed, a female observed ovipositing, the pictured individual was 71 mm total length, mesotibial ratio .35
Photo 9 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-08-31, Hot Springs area - road kill, male		Photo 10 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-08-07, Hot Springs area
Photo 11 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-08-07, Hot Springs area		Photo 12 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-08-07, Hot Springs area
Photo 13 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-07-31, Hot Springs area - road killed male		Photo 14 by: John Petranka

Comment: Alamance, 2020-07-29, Cedarock Park patrolling Dean Coleman Road. - Male.
Photo 15 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-07-28, Hot Springs area - patrolling on Polecat Rd		Photo 16 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-07-18, Beside the French Broad River, road killed, Hot Springs area
Photo 17 by: B. Bockhahn, K. Kittelberger, P. Backstrom, N. Williamson

Comment: Moore; C, 2020-06-08 		Photo 18 by: P Dixon

Comment: Madison, 2019-09-08, River Road, Sunny, 80s - Macromia illinoiensis illinoiensis
Photo 19 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Brunswick, 2019-06-21, Waccamaw River, from Pireway Boating Access Area to about 5 km upstream and back, by kayak.		Photo 20 by: P Dixon

Comment: Madison, 2019-06-14, Davis Branch watershed - Macromia illinoiensis georgina
Photo 21 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Sampson, 2019-05-24, Black River, from Ivanhoe Boating Access Area to 4.5 km upstream and back, by kayak. Georgina subspecies.		Photo 22 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 23 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Scotland, 2018-09-03, Lumber River, from Wagram Boating Access Area to Lumber River State Park - Chalk Banks boat ramp and back, by kayak		Photo 24 by: Vincent Weber

Comment: Yancey, 2018-08-16, West of Burnsville, about 300 meters south of the Cane River and Cane River Park. - Subspecies Illinoiensis, male.
Photo 25 by: Vincent Weber

Comment: Yancey, 2018-08-16, West of Burnsville, about 300 meters south of the Cane River and Cane River Park. - Subspecies Illinoiensis, male.		Photo 26 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Davie, 2018-08-04, S. Yadkin River @ Cooleemee boating access - ssp. georgina; netted, photographed, and released
Photo 27 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Wilkes; P, 2018-07-21, W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir; from dam to ~1000' downstream - ssp. georgina; netted, photographed, and released		Photo 28 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Yadkin, 2018-07-20, Pilot Mountain State Park - Yadkin River section - ssp. georgina; netted, photographed, and released
Photo 29 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Robeson, 2018-07-15, Lumber River, from Fair Bluff Boating Access Area to South Carolina line, by kayak. Georgina subspecies.		Photo 30 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Alleghany, 2018-07-15, New River @ SR 1345 (Farmers Fish Camp Rd.) - ssp. illinoiensis