Based on a single specimen collected in Reynolds County, Missouri, further surveys will be conducted there to determine the status of the species in Missouri. Breeding populations are now known to occur in northeastern Illinois in or near the Des Plaines River Valley, Door County, Wisconsin, and in northern Michigan. In general, adult dragonflies are terrestrial, spending much of their brief life in flight, feeding on other flying insects. The larva is aquatic, lives substantially longer than the adult, and feeds on other smaller aquatic invertebrates, small fish, and larval amphibians. After adults emerge, usually males later establish breeding territories and mate with females.
Females lay eggs in suitable aquatic habitat.
Most larvae have been found in shallow water of narrow channels, as well as along edges of channels. After adults emerge they spend a few days feeding before they return to breeding areas. As females approach, males pursue and mate with them. Metamorphosis starts to take place as the final instar matures. Mature larvae crawl out of the water onto nearby plant stems or anything providing support.