The green darner or common green darner (Anax junius), after its resemblance to a darning needle, is a species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae. One of the most common and abundant species throughout North America, it also ranges south to Panama. It is well known for its great migration distance from the northern United States south into Texas and Mexico. It also occurs in the Caribbean, Tahiti, and Asia from Japan to mainland China. It is the official insect for the state of Washington in the United States.
The green darner is a large dragonfly; males grow to in length with a wingspan up to .
Females oviposit in aquatic vegetation, eggs laid beneath the water surface. Nymphs (naiads) are aquatic carnivores, feeding on insects, tadpoles, and small fish. Adult darners catch insects on the wing, including ant alates, moths, mosquitoes, and flies.
Taxonomy
Dru Drury described this species as Libellula junius in 1773. There are not currently any recognized subspecies. There are three recognized synonyms: Anax spiniferus Rambur, 1842; Anax ocellatus Hagen, 1867; Anax severus Hagen, 1867. in length and a wingspan of up to . Both sexes have an unmarked green thorax. Mature males have bluish-purple abdomens (the first few abdominal segments are the brightest) with a black dorsal stripe that broadens near the end of the abdomen. Immature males and most females have reddish-brown abdomens, but some females are patterned like adult males. Wings are initially clear but usually become amber-tinted with age, especially in females. Other migratory species include:
- Tramea lacerata (black saddlebags)
- Pantala flavescens (wandering glider)
- Pantala hymenea (spot-winged glider)
- Sympetrum corruptum (variegated meadowhawk)
Gallery
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File:Img 041538 mating anax junius.jpg|Mating, wheel position
File:Anax_junius-Laying_eggs-2.jpg|Egg-laying
File:Dragonfly_Common_Green_Darner_Female_Anax_junius_2010-04-18.jpg|Female
File:Common Green Darner, female.jpg|Uncommon blue form female, Ottawa, Canada
File:Anax junius-hovering.jpg|Hovering San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary
</gallery>