Butterflies, Moths, Dragonflies & Damselflies of Dayton, Ohio

SWIFT RIVER CRUISER & ROYAL RIVER CRUISER

This Swift River Cruiser was photographed in southeastern Ohio, at the Hune Covered Bridge in Washington County. This was my favorite find from the DSA Conference in Marietta, Ohio. June 28, 2024. 

This Swift River Cruiser was perched high in a tree. These dragonflies are fairly common in our area, and I see them flying at numerous locations, including the Great and Little Miami Rivers,  Huffman MetroPark, Twin Creek MetroPark, Germantown MetroPark, and Caesar Creek. This is one of our most challenging dragonfly species to photograph. They rarely land for photos, and when they do, they usually perch high in a tree. 

This is a newly-emerged female Swift River Cruiser. I found her early in the morning, on the banks of the Great Miami River near Miamisburg. 

Just look at those gorgeous green eyes! Swift River Cruisers have brilliant green eyes and a single yellow stripe on the side of the thorax. They also have a bright yellow spot on the top of the abdomen, just above the club. There are two subspecies of Swift River Cruisers. The one in our area, sometimes called the Illinois River Cruiser, is less brightly marked than the Swift River Cruisers in the south. 

Swift River Cruiser, photographed just south of Crain's Run Nature Park (near Miamisburg). These large dragonflies are swift fliers. They patrol medium to large rivers and creeks. 

A young Swift River Cruiser photographed at Taylorsville MetroPark on May 26, 2025. This species flies from late May through early September. 

This dragonfly is a female Royal River Cruiser, photographed at Caesar Creek. She is a little beat up (damaged wing and abdomen). But I was so delighted to FINALLY find one of these dragonflies perched  that I didn't mind her condition.  She is perfect in my book! 

Royal River Cruisers have several pairs of tiny yellow spots along the abdomen. This feature distinguishes them from Swift River Cruisers. But both species have mesmerizing green eyes!

This is the only other Royal River Cruiser that I have seen perched. I found this male at Crain's Run, south of Miamisburg, on August 31, 2025. Notice that the abdomen tip is not clubbed (as opposed to a Swift River Cruiser, which has a noticeable club). It also lacks the large yellow spot near the end of the abdomen. 

Swift River Cruiser flying at Germantown MetroPark on May 25, 2024, my personal early date for the species. 

This is the same individual as above, from a different angle. The name "river cruiser" is misleading for this species. This individual was found on the Great Miami, but I find Royal River Cruisers at large lakes more often than rivers. Cowan Lake and Caesar Creek both have good populations of Royals. They fly from late June through early September.