Swift River Cruiser

This guy showed up at our moth sheet, and I was thrilled to get a close look at those eyes!

comments (12)

Christine Young

Lion

Incredible shot, Franny! And, an odd visitor! Posted 6 years ago
1. FrannySopranny
  
  Mountain Gorilla
  
  Definitely unexpected! We sometimes get odonates at the moth sheet, but this was a first. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    I think the weirdest thing I've gotten at my light was a backswimmer. Bats as well. Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. FrannySopranny
      
      Mountain Gorilla
      
      Hmmm, backswimmer is weird! You get bats actually coming down? Jealous! We've had a stray kitten, a few skunks, some Mexican jays, blue grosbeak, yellow-eyed junco, and several thrashers and mockingbirds. So happy to provide a buffet! Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        The bats fly around above my head. they have come a few times this summer. They don't land, but I can often hear the little clicking sounds they make. Interestingly, some moths (especially Arctiids) act weird when the bats are overhead. The moths will circle, flatten themselves, and act erratically. Posted 6 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        The stray kitten would be a cool visitor. I've also had deer. And, the occasional skunk. No birds though, I'm sorry to say. Posted 6 years ago
        
        FrannySopranny
        
        Mountain Gorilla
        
        The birds show up at dawn to clean up. I love it when they get impatient and start telling us to leave.
        Aren't Arctiids the group that's able to jam bat signals by sending out their own frequency? I know at least Bertholdia is documented as doing so. Posted 6 years ago
        
        Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        Speaking of bats, I had one swoop down near my face this morning (near my light)! LOL!
        
        My morning visitors are usually large Vespids (bald-faced hornets, etc). I have to help the moths on their way before sunrise or there is a brutal killing spree! Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        @Lisa, watch out for those hornets! Posted 6 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        They are - tiger moths can jam the bat's echolocation signals. Posted 6 years ago

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

Crazy cool! I also really love the one you posted on facebook with your own eye in the background! Posted 6 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Well done, Franny! Posted 6 years ago

The Swift River Cruiser

''Macromia illinoiensis'', also known as the swift river cruiser or the Illinois river cruiser, is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae. It was described by Walsh in 1862.

Info 2 0

Similar species: Dragonflies And Damselflies

Species identified by FrannySopranny