Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of the United States
Odonata of California
Black Petaltail (Tanypteryx hageni)
Black Petaltail (Tanypteryx hageni (Selys))
Behavior: Nymphs construct small burrows in water-logged substrates. Adults have been observed on feeding and mating flights over a cat-tail swale in Oregon. Males are territorial over bogs.
Food Habits: Nymphs eat surface-inhabiting arthropods, mostly spiders. Adult dragonflies prey on flying insects, while nymphs feed on aquatic animals. No specific information is available on the prey of this species.
Habitat: Waters seeps with moss-covered rocks. Occurs in spring-fed bogs or seeps in old growth or riparian forest.
Range: Southern British Columbia south to central California.
References:
Cannings, R.A. 1978. The distribution of Tanypteryx hageni (Odonata: Petaluridae)
in British Columbia. Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia
75: 18-19.
Clement, S.L.; Meyer, R.P. 1980. Adult biology and behavior of the dragonfly
Tanypteryx hageni (Odonata: Petaluridae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological
Society 53: 711-719.
Meyer, R.P.; Clement, S.L. 1978. Studies on the biology of Tanypteryx hageni in
California. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 71: 667-669.
Needham, J.G.; Westfall, M.J., Jr. 1955. A manual of the dragonflies of
North America (Anisoptera). University of California Press, Berkeley and
Los Angeles, xi + 615 p. (p 70-72)
Paulson, D.R.; Garrison, R.W. 1977. A list and new distributional records of
Pacific coast Odonata. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 53: 147- 160.
Usinger, R.L. 1956. Aquatic insects of California. University of California
Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, ix + 508 p.
Walker, E.M. 1958. The Odonata of Canada and Alaska. Volume 2. University of
Toronto Press, Toronto, xi + 318 p. (134-135)
Author: Paul A. Opler
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