Clubtails
Family Gomphidae
Genus Hagenius
Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus)



Flight season: early June to late August.

Population: common, a good place to look for this large clubtail is the Moira River, cruising over the water or along the shoreline. Occasionally found foraging in fields a good distance from water.

Length: about 75 mm to 90 mm, the largest clubtail in this area.


Tweed, Ontario, near the intersection of Victoria St. and Spring St: residential and business area.
Male Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus) – normally these huge clubtails are not so docile, this dragonfly was an unfortunate victim of a vehicle (July 04, 2011).

The head appears small in proportion to the thorax, and the hind legs are very long (July 04, 2011).
The claspers are very short (July 04, 2011).


Tweed, Ontario, the Moira River, east of town near Collin's Point: rock-bottomed river with fast flowing water, rapids and emergent rocks, the shoreline vegetation consists of wooded areas and clearings supporting tall grasses and wildflowers.
Male Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus) – as might be inferred from their name, Dragonhunters can and will catch and dispatch other dragonflies, including species their own size (August 28, 2014).

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Female Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus) – taking a break from laying eggs, they oviposit by flying just above the surface and periodically dipping the tips of their abdomens in the water (August 21, 2012).



Photo essay of a female Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus) naiad emerging from the water and undergoing its final molt to adulthood (June 09, 2014).

Link to images of Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus) exuviae (June 09, 2014).