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The green darner received its name because it resembles a darning needle and this dragonfly is one of the most common and abundant dragon fly species in North America.
Taxonomy:
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Odonata
Infraorder:
Anisoptera
Family:
Aeshnidae
Genus:
Anax
Species:
A. junius
Common Name:
Green Darner
Conservation Status:
L.C.
Description:
The male green darner is one of the largest living dragonflies growing from 2,7 to 3.1 inches in length and having a wingspan of up to 3.9 inches wide. Both sexes have an unmarked green thorax, and mature males have bluish-purple abdomens. Females and immature males have a reddish-brown abdomen. Wings are initially clear but with age, fade to amber, especially females. Both sexes have a black bulls-eye mark on the face in front of their eyes.
The female oviposit (lays eggs) in aquatic vegetation beneath the water surface. Naiads, (nymphs) are aquatic carnivores which feed on insects, tadpoles and small fish.
Adult darners catch insects on the wing, including flies, flying ants, mosquitoes and moths. The primary predator of the nymphs are fish and of the adults are birds and spiders.
Habitat:
Adults are most frequently seen around nymph habitat but they are strong fliers and can be found in a wide variety of habitats including grasslands, forests, and urban areas.
Nymphs develop in lakes, ponds, and slow streams and rivers.
Range:
Throughout North America, south into Texas and Mexico as as far south as Panama, particularly in the winter. There are also population in Hawaii and the Caribbean. Other vagrant individuals have been sighted in Alaska, India, Europe, Tahiti, and Asia from Japan to mainland China. These sightings outside of their normal range are likely individuals blow off course by strong winds and storms.
It is the official insect for the state of Washington in the United States.
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