Cruisers
 To learn more about the groups (genera) of Cruisers, click
on the links at the right or in the menu.
Cruisers range from medium to large in size. In most species the eyes
are bright green in color and just barely meet at the top of the head. Their
face is dark with lateral yellow or white cross stripes. Their patterning
is unique with a single yellow or white lateral stripe on a dark thorax. Each
abdominal segment may be marked with a single central yellow spot, with the last
spot generally being the largest. They have slightly widened segments at the end
of their abdomen resembling a club, more pronounced in the males.
As their name implies, Cruisers have stiff, short wings that enable them to fly
for very long periods, relentlessly patrolling over streams and rivers.
Often they cruise right down the middle at high speeds, making them very difficult
to observe well.
When perched, Cruisers are usually found in a vertical or oblique position on vegetation
or high in trees. Mating occurs in trees.
Females lack an ovipositor at the end of their abdomen. Therefore, the female
dips the tip of her abdomen in the water while flying just above the surface, and
releases her green eggs onto the water. Ovipositing is generally done without
the company of the male.
Cruiser larvae are round with very long legs and have an erect horn at the front
of the head. Their abdomen is adorned with dorsal hooks. They are found in
both streams and rivers. They sprawl in the debris on the bottom and wait
for prey to come their way. The larvae emerge at night, crawling onto vegetation
or structures such as bridges, docks and buildings and emerging while vertical.
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