References to pictures/drawings/scans are as
follows:
CA Dragonflies =
Common Dragonflies of California, A Beginner's Pocket Guide by Kathy Biggs
2000
CA Dragons&Damsels = Dragonflies and
Damselflies of California by Tim Manolis. UCPress. April 2003
SW Dragonflies = Common Dragonflies the Southwest,
A Beginner's Pocket Guide by Kathy Biggs 2004
CA&SW Dragonflies = Common Dragonflies the Southwest,
A Beginner's Pocket Guide (with dust jacket) by Kathy Biggs 2006
Dragonflies through Binoculars = Dragonflies through Binoculars, A Field
Guide to Dragonflies of North America by Sidney W. Dunkle 2000
LA Insects = Insects of the Los Angeles Basin by Charles Hogue
Western Forest = The Audubon Society Nature Guides - Western Forest
Stokes Guide = Beginner's
Guide to Dragonflies
by Blair Nikula, Jackie Sones. A Stokes Guide. May 2002
Audubon Guide = Audubon Society Field Guide to North American
Insects and Spiders
CA Insects = California Insects by Jerry Powell and Charles Hogue
* = photograph/scanning(s) available to see at this Internet
website
This website is totally privately funded. If you find it helpful, a donation would be greatly appreciated - Kathy
| Scientific Name
Common Name |
Remarks/Description
Habitat/Flight Dates |
Picture in book
*Photo/scan at website |
|
|
|
| FAMILY Aeshnidae
Darners |
4 CA genera:
1. Aeshna - Mosaic Darners (Tropical Darners split from this group 2004): 5 species
2. Rhionaeschna - Tropical Darners (split from Aeshna 2004): 3 species (8/07)
3. Anax - Green Darners: 2 species
4. Oplonaeschna - Riffle Darner: 1 species (seen only once, perhaps a vagrant)
sizes: large to huge, robust; lengths 57 - 110 mm with wingspans
to 150 mm
male: brilliant blues, greens or browns; large eyes meet center of head and form a seam; wings mostly clear
female: at least 2 forms, one like males; others green and/or brown and/or
purple where males are blue; large eyes meet center of head and form a seam
behavior: fast, usually seen in flight;
patrol waterways but also often seen catching insects over fields;
perch by hanging vertically;
some swarm; some migrate;
females oviposit into floating vegetation
habitat: ponds, lakes, slow streams & rivers, fields
nymph cling to vegetation in lakes & ponds; also slower sections
streams/rivers |
Scanned image by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragonflies p. 42
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 92
Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 32
Dragonflies N.A. key p. 110-165
Audubon Guide - naiad pl. 43
*Southwest Darners
*Photos, FIELD KEY and information at Royal Museum, British Columbia in pdf format - very useful
*Key to larva in Michigan, UMMZ
|
|
|
|
| GENUS: Rhionaeschna
The Tropical Darners
New species added to CA list 9/07 |
3 species (recently split from Aeshna):
size: large to very large
male: large eyes; mosaic patterned abdomen; very small tubercle (bump) under 1st abd. segment;
usually blue, green or brown; the 2 common of the 3 species are very similar;
best told apart by looking at terminal appendages thru hand-lens;
Use CA KEY to distinguish both males and females
female: at least 2 forms, most common - green or brown where male bluish;
other form is more blue colored and male like;
very small tubercle (bump) under 1st abd. segment;
females are told apart by the color of the line across face
and the shape of the stripes on the thorax
nymph: slender, brown
behavior: strong fliers; may form swarms;
hang vertically from plants;
few predators, but this one met its match(es): click
here
nymph emerge to become dragonflies during night hours
habitat: sluggish streams, shallow lakes, ponds, bays |
Scanned image by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragonflies p. 43, 47
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 95-96
Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 45
Dragonflies N.A. p. 119-156
*Southwest Tropical Darners
*Photos, FIELD KEY and information at Royal Museum, British Columbia in pdf format
*Key to larva at Notes on the Michigan Species of Aeshna
|
|
|
|
| Rhionaeschna californica
aka
Aeshna californica
California Darner
photos male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photos male
photo young male
photo young male
photo female
photo female
photos female ovipositing
photo female ovipositing
photos female emerging
scans males
scan pair
scans young male
scan male
scans female
scans female
scans of a nymph emerging
scans of exuvia
CA distribution map |
size: large, (but small for family);
length male: 57 - 64 mm; hind wing 38 - 42 mm;
length female: 58 - 60 mm; hind wing 37 - 40 mm;
wingspan 68 - 182 mm; smallest Darner in California
male: fairly blue, including eyes; while immature, grayish blue;
face light blue or greenish with black line;
thorax side stripes thin light blue &/or green; angled towards abd. more than Blue-
eyed's or other darners;
no stripes on top of thorax;
marks on abdomen sky-blue; paired spots top of last segment not widely
separated as are Blue-eyed's;
proportions - length of head & thorax together = about 1/2 abdomen length
(other Aeshna proportions = 1/3rd);
appendages not forked and without a spine;
anal triangle on hind wing has 3 cells
female: 2 forms: one like male,
other yellow brown with yellow spots and green eyes;
black line across front of face;
tubercle (bump) under 1st abdomen segment;
2 cells in forewing supertriangle
similar species: Blue-eyed Darner most similar but is larger & has
forked appendages; brown line across face;
compare by appendages to all other Mosaic Darners;
use CA
KEY to distinguish both males and females
behavior: male flies right at the edge of water/vegetation
habitat: ponds and lakes, even brackish waters
flight period: EARLY, February - August;
very early flight date can be diagnostic |
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 95, 97-98, pl. 16, 19
CA&SW Dragonflies p. 61
Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 52-text; pl.5 Dragonflies N.A. p.
134, p. 54 sketch
*Photo by Stevem at his San Francisco Photo Gallery
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photo at Eric Preston Photography, Dragonflies (CA)
*Photo at Eric Preston Photography, Dragonflies (CA)
*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Shasta Co. CA Dragonfly site
*Photos at Sterling's Odonate Photos
*Photos by Don Roberson at Don's ODONates
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos of emergence by Steve Valley at Oregon Dragonfly and Damselfly Images
*Scan(s) by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos, FIELD KEY and information at Royal Museum, British Columbia in pdf format
|
|
|
|
| Rhionaeschna multicolor
aka Aeshna multicolor
Blue-eyed Darner
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male's face
photos male
photo young male
photo male in flight
photo pair in wheel
photo pair in wheel
photo female - blue form
photo female - blue form
photo female - blue form
photo female - blue form
photo female - blue/green form
photo female - blue/green form
photo green form female
photo female - green form
photo female - green form
photo female - green form
photo tenereal female
photo female ovipositing
more photos, inc. `wheel'
photo exuvia
scans male
scans male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan male
scans teneral female
scan green form female
scan exuvia
CA distribution map |
aka Common Blue Darner
size: large:
length male - 67 - 72 mm; hind wing - 43 - 45 mm;
length female: 62 - 68 mm; hind wing - 42 - 44 mm;
wingspan 86 - 98 mm
male: bright blue eyes and face;
broad blue stripes on thorax sides; stripes top of
thorax;
light brown line across face;
abdomen is a mosaic of blue, black, & copper;
appears almost all blue in flight;
spots on top of last abdominal segments widely separated; usually pale;
MOST IMPORTANT MARK: appendages forked (from the
side looking somewhat like a wrench);
anal triangle on hind wing has 3 cells;
female: two forms, one is somewhat blue like the male,
the other is green where male is blue;
sometimes the green can appear yellow;
tubercle (bump) under 1st abdominal segment;
light brown line across front of face;
3 cross veins in the super-triangle on forewing;
wings can be tinged with yellow;
exuvia: ~36 mm
similar species: California Darner is most similar but it is smaller;
but compare by appendages to all other Mosaic Darners;
use CA
KEY to distinguish both males and females
behavior: commonly found in lowlands, even open fields;
male tends to fly across open water more than CA Darner:
sometimes found in swarms
habitat: ponds/marshes/sluggish streams/lakes
flight period: March - November
distribution: very common throughout state |
CA Dragonflies p. 43, 47
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 95, 96-97, pl. 16, 19
CA Insects: Common Blue Darner p. 49 #29, 30
LA Insects: Multicolored Darner Fig 19, 20
CA&SW Dragonflies p. 59, 60
Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 50; pl. 5
Dragonflies N.A. p. 144, p. 54 sketch
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders
*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Shasta Co. CA Dragonfly site
*Photos at Stirling's Dragonfly Photos
*Photos by Don Roberson at Don's ODONates
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo of female by Mike Baird at photography site
*Photos of females by Steve Valley at Oregon Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos at Arizona Odonates
*Scan(s) by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos, FIELD KEY and information at Royal Museum, British Columbia in pdf format
*Photo of male by William Radke at The Dragonflies of New Mexico
*Photos by Blair Nikula at Ode News Miscellaneous Odonate Images
*Scan(s) by Forrest Mitchell at Digital Dragonflies
*Photos by Curtis Williams, Texas at Digital Dragonflies
*Photo by Bob Behrstock, Texas at Digital Dragonflies
*Photos by Omar Bocanegra at The Odonata of Tarrant County
*Photos by Ann Johnson at Iowa Odonates
*Photo by Blair Nikula at Dragonflies of Massachusetts
|
|
|
|
Rhionaeschna psilus
aka Aeshna psilus
Turquoise-tipped Darner
New for CA list 9-2007
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
scan male
scan female
CA distribution map |
size: large, length 58 - 60 mm, wingspan 74 - 84 mm
male: small and dark for a darner;
bluish eyes (brown in young) and blue face with only a faint colored line across;
long, wide green or blue stripes on sides and top of thorax are wavy and uneven;
anal hind wing triangle - 3 cells;
spots on abdomen small and green colored except for blue on segment 2 & usually 10;
pale blue color on underside of segments 9 & 10 is diagnostic;
bump under 1st segment; appendages simple, without a true spine
female:thorax similarly marking to male; bump under first segment; spots on abd. small and green colored; long appendages
habitat: ponds, ditches and sluggish streams
flight period: September
distribution: rare in state: found once in Orange Co. CA (2007);
report and document all encounters!
|
Dragonflies through Binoculars pl. 6 & p. 59
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by Doug Danforth at Arizona Dragonflies
*Photos by Greg Lasley at Greg Lasley Nature Photography
*Photos of male and of female by John Abbott at his Nature Photography website
*Photo by Roy Beckenmyer taken in Nicaragua
*Scan male by W.A. Haber at EFG Biodiversity Image Gallery, Costa Rica
*Scan female by W.A. Haber at EFG Biodiversity Image Gallery, Costa Rica
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| GENUS: Aeshna
The Mosaic Darners |
As of 2004: 5 species
size: large to very large
male: large eyes; mosaic patterned abdomen; no tiny tubercle under abd. seg. #1;
usually blue, green or brown; all very similar;
told apart by looking at terminal appendages thru hand-lens;
use CA
KEY to distinguish both males and females
female: 2 forms, most common - green or brown where male bluish;
other form is bluer colored and male like;
females are told apart by the color of the line across face;
the presence or lack of blue spots on underside
and the shape of the stripes on the thorax
nymph: slender, brown
behavior: strong fliers;
hang vertically from plants;
few predators, but this one met its match(es): click
here
oviposit into plant tissue &/or saturated wood
nymph emerge to become dragonflies during night hours
habitat: sluggish streams, shallow lakes, ponds, bays |
Scanned image by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragonflies p. 42, 44, 45
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 95-96
Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 45
Dragonflies N.A. p. 119-156
*Southwest Mosaic Darners
*Photos, FIELD KEY and information at Royal Museum, British Columbia in pdf format
*Key to larva at Notes on the Michigan Species of Aeshna
|
|
|
|
| NEW SPECIES FOR CA - 8/98
Aeshna canadensis
Canada Darner
photo male
photo female
scans male
scans male side
scans male
scan female
scans female
CA distribution map |
size:large, length male: 64 - 72 mm; hindwing, 43 - 47 mm;
length female: 66 - 73 mm; hindwing, 42 - 47 mm;
wingspan 86 - 99 mm
male: thorax side stripes relatively
broad; front one is deeply indented;
last segment has pale spots on top;
anal triangle on hind wing has 2 (not 3) cells;
female: 2 forms: one like male,
other with yellow/blue-green where male is blue;
no tubercle (bump) under first abdominal segment;
light brown line across front of face
exuviae:dark stripe down the center of the back
similar species: Paddle-tailed Darner is most similar
but compare to all Mosaic Darners;
use CA KEY to distinguish both males and females
habitat: ponds, lakes in Cascade Range, esp. beaver ponds
flight period: August - October
distribution: fairly rare in state: report all encounters!
|
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 95, 99-100, pl. 17, 19
CA & CA&SW Dragonflies - inside dust jacket
Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 55-text; pl.6
Dragonflies N.A. p. 135 text, p. 82 picture
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scan(s) by Dennis Paulson
at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos, FIELD KEY and information at Royal Museum, British Columbia in pdf format
*Photo and information by Greg Lasley at his TX Dragonflies website
*Photos by Ann Johnson at Iowa Odonates
*Photo by Dave Westover at Odonata Photos, Wisconsin
*Photo by Dave Westover at Digital Dragonflies, taken in Wisconsin
*Photos male, female by Blair Nikula at Dragonflies of Massachusetts
*Photo by Paul D. Pratt at Ontario Odonata
|
| Aeshna interrupta
Variable Darner
aka Aeshna nevadensis; A. interrupta interrupta; A. interrupta lineata
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photos male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male A.i.lineata-AK
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
scans male
scans male
scans male
scans male
male top view
scans male
scan male side
scans male
scans female
scans female underside (blue form)
scan female (green form)
scan female (green form)
CA distribution map |
size: large, length male - 66 - 76 mm; hind wing - 41 - 47 mm;
length female: 61 - 70 mm; hind wing - 41 - 46 mm;
wingspan 86 - 100 mm
male: thorax side stripes interrupted or sometimes very narrow;
stripes green towards front, blue at back;
top stripes missing or very narrow;
bluish eyes; face pale greenish yellow;
marks on abdomen are sky-blue;
anal triangle on hind wing has 2 (not 3) cells;
appendages paddle shaped and somewhat 'hairy'
female: 2 forms: one like male;
other with yellow-green where male is blue;
black line across front of face;
no tubercle
similar species: compare to all other Mosaic Darners;
use CA
KEY to distinguish both males and females
habitat: slow waters of marshes/lakes/ponds/bogs/bays/streams/rivers;
especially range-land ponds
flight period: May - October
distribution: northern and eastern mountainous areas |
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 95, 98-99, pl. 17, 19
CA&SW Dragonflies p. 63
Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 52-text; pl.5
Dragonflies N.A. p. 141 text, p. 56 sketch, pictures p. 82&83
*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Shasta Co. CA Dragonfly site
*Photos at Sterling's Odonate Photos
*Photos at Doug Aguillard's Dragonfly Photos
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos at Arizona Odonates
*Scan(s) by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos, FIELD KEY and information at Royal Museum, British Columbia in pdf format
*Photos, FIELD KEY and information at Royal Museum, British Columbia in pdf format
*Photo by Blair Nikula at Dragonflies of Massachusetts |
| Aeshna palmata
Paddle-tailed Darner
photo male
photo male
photos male
photos male in flight
photo male in flight
photos teneral female
photo female ovipositing
scans male
scans male
scan male side
scan male top
scan male side
scans male
scan female
CA distribution map |
size: large, length male - 69 - 74 mm; hind wing - 42 - 47 mm;
length female: 63 - 70 mm; hind wing - 39 - 43 mm;
wingspan 82 - 100 mm
male: green thoracic stripes and face; eyes bluish;
back of head black colored;
blue spots top of last abdominal segment; none on underside;
more small spots on abdomen than most other Mosaic Darners;
spots top of segment 9 fused;
paddle shaped appendages with spine;
anal triangle on hind wing has 3 cells;
female: 2 forms: one like male;
other with more greenish-yellow;
black line across front of face;
no tubercle
similar species: compare to all other Mosaic Darners;
use CA KEY to distinguish both males and females
habitat: ponds, lakes, streams in mountains
flight period: May - early November |
CA Dragonflies p. 42
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 95, 101-103, pl. 18, 19
CA&SW Dragonflies p. 58, 66
Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 48-text; pl.4
Dragonflies N.A. p. 146, p. 54 sketch
*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Shasta Co. CA Dragonfly site
*Photos Stirling's Dragonfly Photos
*Photos Doug Aguillard's Dragonfly Photos
*Photos by Don Roberson at Don's ODONates
*Photos by Tom Murray at his California Dragonflies
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos at Arizona Odonates
*Scan(s) by Dennis Paulson
at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photo by Ruth Sullivan
at Darner in Flight at U.P.S., WA
*Photos, FIELD KEY and information at Royal Museum, British Columbia in pdf format
*Photo of female laying eggs by George Doerksen at
the Royal British Columbia Museum
*Photos by Curtis Williams, Texas
at Digital Dragonflies
*Photos by Curtis Williams, Texas
at Digital Dragonflies |
| Aeshna umbrosa
Shadow Darner
photo male
photos male
photos young male
photos young male
photo male
photo in flight
photos female
photos female WA
photo female ovipositing
photo female ovipositing
scan male top
scan male side
scan male's face
scan male's back of head
scan male underside
scans male
scans males
scan male underside
scans male
scans male
scan female
CA distribution map |
aka Aeshna occidentalis
size: large, length male - 66 - 78 mm, hind wing 41 - 47 mm;
length female: 67 - 75 mm; hind wing - 38 - 47 mm;
wingspan 86 - 100 mm
male: can be darker, less colorful than other Mosaic Darners;
or appear as blue as most;
bluish/green face;
fine brown line across front of face;
back of head partly yellowish;
yellow/green thoracic stripes edged in black;
wide green stripes top of thorax;
small abdomen spots, less than half each segment;
paired blue spots on underside of abdomen
(diagnostic in all but most northern counties in CA);
no blue spots on the top of the last abdominal segment;
simple paddle tailed appendages with small spine at
tip;
anal triangle on hind wing has 3 cells;
female: 2 forms, one like males;
other yellowish where male is greenish blue on a chocolate brown background;
paired pale spots on underside of abdomen;
often have broken cerci (claspers at end of abdomen)
similar species: only Canada Darner also has blue spots underside;
compare to all other Mosaic Darners;
use CA
KEY to distinguish both males and females
behavior: flies in the shade more than other Darners;
females oviposit in wet decaying wood
habitat: ponds/lakes/slow streams often at high evaluations;
sometimes shaded
flight period: July - November, mostly late summer/fall species;
(however was captured in Feb. '77 - late or early?)
distribution: more common in cool areas |
CA Dragonflies p. 45
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 95, 100-101, pl. 18, 19
CA&SW Dragonflies p. 65
Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 45; pl. 4
Dragonflies N.A. p. 153 p. 54 sketch
*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Shasta Co. CA Dragonfly site
*Photos by John Sterling at his CA Dragonflies site
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scan(s) by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos, FIELD KEY and information at Royal Museum, British Columbia in pdf format
*Photos by Ann Johnson at Iowa Odonates
*Photo by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata Photo Album
*Photos by Dave Westover at Odonata Photos, Wisconsin
*Photos by Dave Westover at Digital Dragonflies, taken in Wisconsin
*Key to nymph in Michigan with photos of larval body parts
*Photos by Randy Emmitt at Dragonflies of North Carolina
*Photos by Blair Nikula at Ode News, Cape Cod |
| Aeshna walkeri
Walker's Darner
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male's face
photos female ovipositing
sketch of female
scans male, `99
scans male
scans male
scan male specimen, `02
scan female
CA distribution map |
size: large, length 72 -77 mm; hind wing 43 - 49 mm;
wingspan 87 - 100 mm
male: face and thoracic stripes nearly white; top thoracic stripes thin;
blue abdominal spots large, fewer small spots than other CA Mosaic Darners;
spots on top of abdominal segment #10 usually missing or sometimes very tiny;
spots on segment #9 almost always fused;
no spots underside of abdomen;
rear of head black; thin black line across face;
wings: clear with jet black stigma; black veins;
3 cells in anal triangle;
flared paddle-shaped appendages have small spine
female: facial line black; no bump under segment 1
behavior: male searches for females mostly along creeks and
streams; often poking into pockets along the shoreline;
females may oviposit into mossy crevasses in boulders
similar species: compare to Shadow Darner - but no blue dots underside;
Paddle-tailed Darner's spine at end of appendages is larger; fused spots top of segment 10;
use CA KEY to distinguish
habitat: mostly creeks and streams
flight period: May - November; mostly late season
distribution: found along creeks and rivers |
CA Dragonflies p. 44
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 95, 103-104, pl. 18, 19
CA&SW Dragonflies p. 64
Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 49-text; pl.4
Dragonflies N.A. p. 152, p. 54 sketch
*Scan(s) by Kathy Biggs
at Western Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of
San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| GENUS: Anax
The Green Darners |
2 CA species - both very similar except for Giant Darner's large size
size: LARGE
male: more solidly colored than Mosaic Darners;
green & brown; colors change with time/temperature;
nymph: slender, green
behavior: nymph cling to aquatic vegetation; cannibalistic;
the Common Green Darner is known to be a mass migrant in California |
Photo by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 92-93
Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 33
Dragonflies N.A. p. 157-161
*Southwest Green Darners
*Key to larva in Michigan, UMMZ |
|
|
|
| Anax junius
Common Green Darner
photo male NM
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male in flight
photo immature male
photo male eating a flame skimmer
photo pair in wheel AZ
photo pair ovipositing
photo female emerging
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female solo ovipositing
photo exuvia
scans male
scans females
scans female
scans female
scan exuvia top
CA distribution map |
aka Snake doctor; Darning Needle
size: very large;
males 65 - 79 mm, hind wing 45 - 50 mm, wingspan 92 - 102 mm
females 68 - 80 mm; hind wing 45 - 52 mm; wingspan 92 - 103 mm
male: solid green thorax;
mature male has head & eyes yellow-green while immature male may have brown eyes, both with 'bullseye' mark on top;
blue abdomen with wide dark stripe;
when cold abdomen turns more purple in color;
wings can be clear or show a yellowish tinge; yellow costa (leading edge)
female: two forms: most cryptic reddish-brown/green;
rarer form is similar to male; both forms have brown eyes, not green;
clear wings become yellow with age
nymph: a green/brown color;
exuvia: ~48mm
similar species: Giant Darner is marked the same but has a
very long abdomen: 105-110 mm
behavior:swarms;
known to migrate in 'flocks' in the fall; often observed with migrating hawks;
our only darner that lays eggs while in tandem (may also solo oviposit)
habitat: fields and waterways
distribution: common statewide in all slow/still waters; pools of streams/rivers
flight period: April - December in north, all year in south; |
CA Dragonflies p. 46
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 92-93, pl. 15
CA&SW Dragonflies p. 70
CA Insects pl 1e
LA Insects: Common Green Darner Fig. 17, 18
Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 33-text; pl.1
Dragonflies N.A. p. 162 text, p. 58 sketch, p. 83 picture
Audubon Guide: Green Darner pls 343, 346
*Photo by Stevem at his San Francisco Photo Gallery
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of
San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Shasta Co. CA Dragonfly site
*Photos Sterling's Odonate Photos
*Photos by Don Roberson at Don's ODONates
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos of nymphs by Steve Valley at Oregon Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos at Arizona Odonates
*Scan(s) by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos, FIELD KEY and information at Royal Museum, British Columbia in pdf format
*Photo of male by William Radke at The Dragonflies of New Mexico
*Photos by Curtis Williams, Texas at Digital Dragonflies
*Photos by Curtis Williams, Texas at Digital Dragonflies
*Photo of emergence at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo of female at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo of male in flight at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scan(s) by Forrest Mitchell at Digital Dragonflies
*Photos by James Lasswell at Digital Dragonflies
*Photos by Dave Westover at Digital Dragonflies, taken in Wisconsin
*Photo by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata
*Photo newly emerged by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra at The Odonata of Tarrant County
*Scans by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
*Photos by Randy Emmitt at Dragonflies of North Carolina
*Photos by Dave Westover
at Odonata Photos in Wisconsin
*Photos by Blair Nikula
at Ode News/ Cape Cod
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| Anax walsinghami
Giant Darner
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male face
photo male underside
photo male in flight
photo male in flight
photo male eating a Cruiser!
multiple photos
photo female
photo female
female ovipositing
females ovipositing
photos female ovipositing
scans male
scans male
scans female
scans exuvia
CA distribution map |
size: LONG and huge;
male 90 - 110 mm; hind wing 56 - 67 mm;
female length 88 - 98 mm; hind wing 56 -60 mm;
wingspan 112 -150 mm;
largest North American dragonfly
male: similar to Anax junius except much longer length;
blue eyes; green thorax; blue abdomen with brown designs down the top;
wings do not become yellow with age;
abdomen droops in flight
female: green thorax with blue and brown abdomen
exuvia: ~50 mm; 2 dark spots on folded end of labium (dots not
colored in Anax junius exuvia)
behavior: flies a beat along creeks/rivers in canyons;
long abdomen typically held in slightly arched position while in flight
habitat: canyon creeks through dry areas
flight period: April - September |
distribution: sporatic throughout state
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 94, pl. 15
CA&SW Dragonflies p. 71
Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 34; pl. 1
Dragonflies N.A. p. 164, p. 58 sketch
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Don Roberson at DON'S ODONates
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos at Arizona Odonates
*Photo by Dennis Paulson at his Dragonfly Photos site
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata |
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| Oplonaeschna
The Riffle Darners
| 1 CA species (2 known in Mexico)
behavior: often flies over riffles |
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| Oplonaeschna armata
Riffle Darner
photo male - AZ
male's appendages - AZ
photo female - AZ
scan male
scan female
distribution map
| *NEW SPECIES FOR CA, SPECIMEN FOUND IN FLORIDA
STATE COLLECTION
However there is no other known occurrence
size: very lg., length 65 - 75 mm, wingspan 92 - 110 mm
male: very similar to Aeshna species; deep blue eyes;
side thorax stripes blue with yellow below, deeply indented;
abdominal spots smaller than Mosaic darners and yellowish at rear;
appendages paddle shaped with spine;
segment 10 top has a finger-like projection
female: short, stout; yellow, blue & green spotted forms
behavior: often flies over riffles
distribution: only one recorded incidence in state, Inyo County
habitat: rocky streams in oak & pine woodlands
flight period: ~June - ~August (those dates in SW) |
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 104-105, pl. 17
CA&SW Dragonflies p. 69
Dragonflies through Binoculars p. 59; pl. 6
Dragonflies N.A. p. 56 sketch
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos by Doug Danforth at Arizona Odes
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