Forests, woodlands, pastures, orchards, prairies, and cultivated fields. Tolerant of habitat disturbance within towns and cities, as long as breeding ponds remain. Fish-free ponds are required for breeding and larval life. Larvae grow fast and are important pond predators. Larvae transform in late summer or autumn.
Adults feed on beetles, centipedes, slugs, worms, and other invertebrates.
Persists but is not abundant where disturbed by agriculture and urban development.