×
BugFinder Insects by State Spiders Butterflies & Moths Bees, Ants, & Wasps Beetles All Bugs Videos (YouTube)

Giant Darner (Anax walsinghami)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Giant Darner


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/4
Image Credit: Nathan C. from Vancouver, WA
Full-sized image of the Giant-Darner Thumbnail image of the Giant-Darner
2/4
Image Credit: Valerie S., taken in Austin, TX
Full-sized image #2 of the Giant-Darner Thumbnail image #2 of the Giant-Darner
3/4
Image Credit: Peter S., taken in Acton, MA
Full-sized image #3 of the Giant-Darner Thumbnail image #3 of the Giant-Darner
4/4
Image Credit: Hugo B., taken in Hinkley, CA
Full-sized image #4 of the Giant-Darner Thumbnail image #4 of the Giant-Darner

The longest and largest dragonfly in the U.S., the beneficial and beautiful Giant Darner is hard to miss.



Updated: 12/27/2023; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
The Giant Darner is hailed as the largest example of dragonfly found in the United States of America. This dragonfly can measure about 5" (12.7 cm) in length with a mighty wide wingspan of up to 5" as well. Highly identifiable by their blue and black coloring, the Giant Darner will not escape your attention when it comes zipping by.

The Giant Darner appears similar to the Common Green Darner and shares its large size and interesting coloring pattern. The Giant Darner differs from the Common Green Darner by having a much longer abdomen. The Giant Darner's abdomen is more than twice the length of its body while the Common Green Darner's 'tail' is about the same length of its body. Giant Darners have a green thorax and the top of the abdomen is bright blue. The brown-black, slender part of the abdomen has bright blue along the dorsal side ('spine'). The long abdomen has a slight curve to it that bends upward. Large eyes are set on a yellow face.

Giant Darners can be found as far south as Mexico and cover portions of the lower western United States. Mating and feeding activity keeps the Giant Darner busy throughout the spring and summer months. Adults eat insects (crawling and flying), graciously helping control the population size of nuisance bugs like mosquitoes and flies. Like most other dragonflies, the Giant Darner lays its eggs in water sources, allowing larvae to burrow into the water source's bottom. These develop into naiads and feed on other aquatic insects as well as small fish and tadpoles. They eventually crawl out of the water onto land in order to molt, a maturing process that leads to their double set of wings.©InsectIdentification.org




Known Diet of the Giant-Darner



insects
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.


General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Flying insect icon
Helpful insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Odonata
        Family: Aeshnidae
View More
          Genus: Anax
View More
            Species: walsinghami

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Anax walsinghami
Other Name(s): Darner
Category: Dragonfly or Damselfly
Size (Adult; Length): 90mm to 127mm (3.54" to 5.00")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: green; tan; black; blue
Descriptors: flying; helpful


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 90mm (3.5in) and 127mm (5.0in)
Lo: 90mm
Md: 108.5mm
Hi: 127mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
State of Alabama graphic
State of Arizona graphic
State of Arkansas graphic
State of California graphic
State of Colorado graphic
State of Delware graphic
State of Florida graphic
State of Georgia graphic
State of Idaho graphic
State of Illinois graphic
State of Indiana graphic
State of Iowa graphic
State of Kansas graphic
State of Kentucky graphic
State of Louisiana graphic
State of Maine graphic
State of Maryland graphic
State of Michigan graphic
State of Minnesota graphic
State of Mississippi graphic
State of Missouri graphic
State of Montana graphic
State of Nebraska graphic
State of Nevada graphic
State of New England graphic
State of New Jersey graphic
State of New Mexico graphic
State of New York graphic
State of North Carolina graphic
State of North Dakota graphic
State of Ohio graphic
State of Oklahoma graphic
State of Oregon graphic
State of Pennsylvania graphic
State of South Carolina graphic
State of South Dakota graphic
State of Tennessee graphic
State of Texas graphic
State of Utah graphic
State of Virginia graphic
State of Washington graphic
State of West Virginia graphic
State of Wisconsin graphic
State of Wyoming graphic
Canadian territory of Alberta graphic
Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic
Canadian territory of Manitoba graphic
Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic
Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
Canadian territory of Ontario graphic
Canadian territory of Quebec graphic
Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Giant Darner may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Giant Darner. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Site Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookies  |  Sitemap
Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede JoroSpider.org

2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2024 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

©2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2024 (18yrs)