THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION

Aquatic Invertebrates in Pacific Northwest Freshwater Wetlands
An Identification Guide and Educational Resource

This family is not commonly encountered in wetlands. The western river cruiser (Macromia magnifica) is the only species in this family found in the Pacific Northwest. The western river cruiser lives in the silt and sand of large streams and rivers throughout Oregon, Washington California and Nevada, and also show up in parts of Idaho, Utah, and Arizona. It can be found on lake shores with a lot of wave action.

The larvae are fairly unique with a nose or horn on the front of their head. As is typical of dragonfly larvae, their body is thick with 5 relatively short points (no plates) at the end of the abdomen. Their labium is scoop shaped and covers much of the front of the head when at rest. The "pincers" or lobes of the labium have a margin of large teeth that are all similar in size.