Macromia alleghaniensis Williamson, 1909
Allegheny River Cruiser
NatureServe Global Rank: G4
Virginia State Rank: S2
VA DGIF Tier: IV
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: The Allegheny River Cruiser is a large dragonfly with a single yellow band around the thorax, and a complete yellow band around the seventh segment of the abdomen. The eyes are green. The size is 65-72 mm (2.6 - 2.8 inches).
Similar species: The complete yellow ring around the seventh abdominal segment separates males of this species from other similar River Cruisers. But females may be inseparable (Paulson, 2011).
North American Range: The Allegheny River Cruiser occurs in the eastern United States from southern Pennsylvania west to Missouri and south to Alabama. It is absent from the deep southeast.
VA Observations by Locality: Essex | Nelson | Russell | Wythe | Alleghany | Augusta | Charlotte | Craig | Pulaski
Flight season and broods: Allegheny River Cruiser adults are active from 4 June - 4 August in Virginia.
Aquatic Habitat: The Allegheny River Cruiser prefers pools of slow-moving streams and rivers.
Behavior and Ecology: Slower than other River Cruisers, male Allegheny River Cruisers will patrol long stretches of river.
Population trend and potential threats: It is apparently secure only in Tennessee. Otherwise it is regarded as vulnerable to imperiled throughout its range (NatureServe, 2011).
Management practices: Monitor and protect occupied habitats.
References: Carle, F.L., 1982. A contribution to the knowledge of the Odonata. Ph.D. thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia. 1,095 pp.
NatureServe. 2011. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer (Accessed: Oct 18, 2012).
Paulson, Dennis. 2011. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East. Princeton University Press. Princeton and Oxford. 538 pp.
Roble, Steven M. 2011. Dragonflies of Virginia- Flight dates. Unpub.