Stats

Lifespan

2-4 years

Size

Large

Diet

Carnivore

Activity

Diurnal

Social

Solitary

Biome

Freshwater wetland

Range

North America

Movement

Flight

Breeding

Egg-laying

Defense

Speed

Status

Uncommon

About

This large dragonfly inhabits streams and rivers across North America. Its nymphs hunt by grabbing tadpoles and other dragonfly larvae with a hinged lower jaw.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   egg

   A small egg is laid on or near the larval food source and hatches within days or weeks.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   An immature insect feeds and molts, growing through successive instars.
3. 3.
   subadult

   A near-adult insect has wing buds or near-mature form, one molt away from full size.
4. 4.
   adult

   Fully grown, with full wings and adult coloration.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Odonata

Family

Gomphidae

Genus

Hagenius

Species

Hagenius brevistylus