Dragonfly Predators

Dragonfly & Damselfly Predators. While in the field trying to photograph Odonates, I sometimes come across other creatures who are also in search of these interesting insects. Some of thee other hunters are not out for photos, however...they are out for a meal! On this page I will show some photos of dragonfly and damselfly predators. On a hot June 2003 day, I was walking through a wet area on the Balcones Canyonlands NWR in Burnet Co., Texas. I had seen many Eastern Pondhawks as I walked along. I was watching a pondhawk fly by when it was intercepted in mid-air with an audible "thawck!" I kept watching and saw that a Robber Fly had captured the pondhawk. The Robber Fly flew to a nearby clump of Little Bluestem with its prey and I took several photos before it flew off and out of sight carrying the pondhawk. I have seen these Robber Flies take an amazing assortment of dragonflies. This Robber Fly, Family Asilidae, genus Promachus, is a common species at this location. This shot was taken with a with a Canon EOS 10D and EF 70-200 F2.8 L IS lens and 2X extender unless otherwise mentioned.
Driving along the edge of a pasture in Guadalupe Co., Texas in July, 2003, I noted many Four-spotted Pennants perched along the barbed wire fence. I then noted a Yellow Garden Spider that had set up her net between strands of the fence. The spider's tactic was a good one; I watched her busily wrapping up two of the pennants for a later meal. This shot was taken with a with a Canon EOS 10D and EF 70-200 F2.8 L IS lens and 2X extender unless otherwise mentioned.
The Least Grebe on the right has captured a darner, either a Common Green Darner or perhaps an Amazon Darner. This shot was taken in September, 1995, in Hildago Co., Texas on Fuji 100 film.
Long-jawed Spider (family Tetragnathidae, genus Tetragnatha) with a male Dusky Dancer (Argia translata) as prey item. This shot was taken at the Honey Creek State Natural Area, Comal Co., Texas, in June, 2005.
The male Golden-cheeked Warbler in the next two shots has caught an Argia damselfly near Bee Cave, Travis Co., Texas, in May, 2008.

The large Garden Spider (Argiope species) shown here has caught and wrapped up a river cruiser species (Macromia). This shot was taken in Gonzales, Gonzales Co., Texas, in August, 2010, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash.
The next 4 shots show a robber fly known as Microstylum morosum with a male Neon Skimmer. These images were taken in August, 2010, in Palmetto State Park, Gonzales Co., Texas, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a 50-500mm Sigma lens. Apparently the dragonfly became entangled in the spider web and was hanging by several strands of the web when the robber fly discovered the situation and flew in to take advantage of the free meal.



The Six-spotted Fishing-Spider has captured a Selys' Sundragon. This shot was taken in March, 2011, on Indian Creek, Jasper Co., Texas.
The male Blue-faced Ringtail (Erpetogomphus eutainia) on the right has captured a female Powdered Dancer as prey. This shot was taken in Gonzales Co., Texas, in July, 2003.
A female Rambur's Forktail has captured and is consuming a female Cream-tipped Swampdamsel in this shot taken at Santa Ana N.W.R., Hidalgo Co., Texas, in May, 2009.
The female Western Pondhawk on the right has captured a female damselfly. This shot was taken along the Yakima River in Benton Co., Washington, in August, 2008.
The Diogmites species robber fly on the right has captured a female Blue-faced Ringtail. This image was taken in August, 2004, in Gonzales Co., Texas.