SHADOW DARNER

SHADOW DARNER

Aeshna umbrosa
DARNER FAMILY (Aeshnidae)

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This large darner is approximately 3 inches or 75 mm in length and is one of the “Mosaic Darners,” so named for the pattern of bright blue spots on the male’s abdomen. The male is brown overall with blue “mosaic” markings on the abdomen. However, the blue abdominal spots on the Shadow Darner are smaller than in other Aeshnas. The eyes are blue. The male has paddle-shaped appendages at the tip of the abdomen. The female is also brown overall with very small white spots on the top of the abdomen and larger white marks on the sides. Her eyes are brown. The female appendages at the tip of the abdomen are narrow and rounded. The eyes of this species are large and meet on the top of the head. Both sexes have 2 creamy white, slender diagonal thoracic side-stripes.

 

Probably uncommon from mid-August through fall as it is the latest flying Mosaic Darner. It can sometimes be seen hanging vertically from vegetation along shady areas of the stream in Fontenelle Forest.

 

It is most active in the shade and feeds primarily at dusk along roads and in clearings at any height. Females frequently oviposit into wet decaying wood, such as stumps. The Shadow Darner adults are unique in that they can regulate their body temperature. This enables them to fly in temperatures too cold for most dragonflies and therefore, fly later in the fall.

 

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