Macromia alleghaniensis

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Macromia alleghaniensis
Macromia alleghaniensis mschenck 20634174.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Macromiidae
Genus: Macromia
Species:
M. alleghaniensis
Binomial name
Macromia alleghaniensis
Williamson, 1909

Macromia alleghaniensis, the Allegheny river cruiser, is a species of cruiser in the dragonfly family Macromiidae. It is often confused with Macromia illinoiensis, the Swift river cruiser. It can be found in the United States, particularly in the central Southeastern part of the country.

Contents

Identification

The species is 2.6 to 2.8 inches long and has green eyes. The thorax has no frontal stripes and it has yellow spots on the abdomen. The female looks similar to the male, but the female has a cylindrical abdomen. [2] Entomologist Edward Bruce Williamson confused the species with Macromia illinoiensis until 1909. [3] The species are hard to identify throughout the United States and Canada due to the species in that genus having similar wings. M. alleghaniensis has often been confused with M. illinoiensis, also known as the Swift river cruiser. After observing subtle variations of yellow on both species, it was noticed that M. alleghaniensis had more geographic distribution than was previously believed. [4] The species can be accurately identified by holding it or by studying its genitalia for a "nearly complete yellow ring on abdominal segment 2". [5]

Distribution

The species can often be found in the central Southeastern United States. Its range extends west to Southeastern Missouri, and into Western Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and then finally towards the Gulf coast by the border of Mississippi and Alabama. There are rare records of the species in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. It is uncommon within the northern part of its range. The species is rare and of special concern in New Jersey, critically imperiled in Pennsylvania, rare and critically imperiled in Maryland, rare in Virginia, rare with needed conservation in Ohio, and critically imperiled in Illinois. It was discovered in Michigan in 2014. The species are often on slow-flowing streams that are small to medium sized. [6]

The IUCN conservation status of Macromia alleghaniensis is "LC", least concern, with no immediate threat to the species' survival. The population is stable. The IUCN status was reviewed in 2017. [1]

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<i>Macromia</i> Genus of dragonflies

Macromia is a genus of large dragonflies in the family Macromiidae. They are commonly known as river cruisers from their habit of cruising long distances along river banks. Most species of Macromia occur in the tropical Australasian region, with one species being found in Europe , and a few species occurring in North America.

<i>Macromia splendens</i> Species of dragonfly

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<i>Macromia taeniolata</i> Species of dragonfly

Macromia taeniolata, the royal river cruiser is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae. It is a long, slender insect with bright green eyes and a dark brown body with yellow stripes. The sexes are alike. It is found along large streams and rivers.

<i>Macromia illinoiensis</i> Species of dragonfly

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.

<i>Macromia ellisoni</i> Species of dragonfly

The Coorg torrent hawk, Macromia ellisoni, is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae. It is a rare and endemic dragonfly and found only in Western Ghats in South India.

<i>Macromia flavicincta</i> Species of dragonfly

Macromia flavicincta is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae. It is an endemic dragonfly in India.

<i>Macromia tillyardi</i> Species of dragonfly

Macromia tillyardi is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae, known as the Australian cruiser. It is a large, black to metallic green dragonfly with bright yellow markings on its abdomen, clear wings and long legs. It is found in northern Australia, where it inhabits streams and pools.

<i>Macromia viridescens</i> Species of dragonfly

Macromia viridescens is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae, known as the rainforest cruiser. It is a large, black to metallic green dragonfly with yellow markings on its thorax, dark metallic green on its abdomen, clear wings and long legs. It is found on Cape York in northern Queensland, Australia, and New Guinea, where it inhabits streams.

Macromia annulata, the bronzed river cruiser, is a species of cruiser in the family of dragonflies known as Macromiidae.

<i>Macromia magnifica</i> Species of dragonfly

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<i>Macromia pacifica</i> Species of dragonfly

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<i>Macromia bellicosa</i> Species of dragonfly

Macromia bellicosa is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae. It is an endemic dragonfly and found only in Western Ghats in South India. It breeds in hill streams.

<i>Macromia cingulata</i> Species of dragonfly

Macromia cingulata is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae. It is an endemic dragonfly and found only in Western Ghats in India. It breeds in rivers.

<i>Macromia flavocolorata</i> Species of dragonfly

Macromia flavocolorata is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae. This species is widely distributed in India, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and China.

<i>Macromia ida</i> Species of dragonfly

Macromia ida is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae. It is an endemic dragonfly and found only in Western Ghats in India.

Macromia indica is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae. It is an endemic dragonfly and found only in Western Ghats in India.

References

  1. 1 2 Paulson, D.R. (2017). "Macromia alleghaniensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T50978701A80694899. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T50978701A80694899.en . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Allegheny River Cruiser". Conserve Wildlife. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  3. ↑ Williamson, Edward Bruce. (1909). The North American Dragonflies (Odonata) of the Genus Macromia. p. 375. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  4. ↑ Patten, Michael A.; Smith-Patten, Brenda D. (2016). "The Allegheny River Cruiser (Macromia alleghaniensis) in Oklahoma" (PDF). Oklahoma Biological Survey. Argia. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Allegheny River Cruiser". The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina. North Carolina Biodiversity Project. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  6. ↑ Craves, Julie (January 2015). "Macromia alleghaniensis (Odonata: Macromiidae): New for Michigan, with clarifications of northern records". Great Lakes Entomologist. 48 (3): 186–191. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
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