Family: Gomphidae, Gomphid Dragonflies view all from this family

Description 2-2 1/8" (50-53 mm), wingspan 4" (101 mm). Face yellowish. Thorax black with unbroken yellow markings. Abdomen black with yellow at base and tip and thick yellow stripe narrowing to thin line. Wings clear. Naiad, to 1" (25 mm), is dark brown.

Food Adult eats flying insects. Naiad preys on small aquatic insects and worms.

Life Cycle Female drops her eggs in swift water of riffles. Naiads stay among trash along edges. Adults are active late April in California to mid-August in British Columbia.

Habitat Near small streams with numerous riffles.

Range Nevada to Baja California, north to British Columbia.

Discussion Gomphids often fly far from the water, sometimes along roads through shady woods, and return to the stream to mate and lay eggs.