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

Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Blue-eyed Darner


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/1
Image Credit: Alan Schmierer [CC0]
Full-sized image of the Blue-Eyed-Darner Thumbnail image of the Blue-Eyed-Darner

The striking Blue-eyed Darner is one of the earliest Darners to make an appearance in Spring west of the Rockies.



Updated: 01/02/2022; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
Thanks to their large size and beautiful blue eyes, the Blue-eyed Darner is easy to spot and identify. The blue and black coloring on the abdomen ('tail') is difficult to miss. This species is one of a few Darners to make an appearance soon after winter in the western part of the continent. It is abundant in its habitat and range, and populations may venture even further south than Mexico.

Males have large chalky blue eyes that are the same color on their abdomen. They also have some silver gray on their bodies. Females do not have blue eyes and are yellow-green in the areas that are blue on males. Both sexes can measure longer than 5 cm (2 inches), but wingspan is closer to 10 cm (4 inches). Wings are transparent. The abdomen has a repetitive pattern of white small white triangles, red-brown circles and blue triangles on each segment. The tip of the abdomen splits. While darners are disinterested in humans, if handled they may bite. Their jaws are large enough for a human to feel a pinch if bitten.

Darners mate in flight. A male places a sperm packet on his abdomen and, once joined in flight, a female will pick it up off of him and use it to fertilize her eggs, which she has attached to vegetation near water. Females then place fertilized eggs in warm, slow moving waters like ponds, swamps, creeks and small streams. Once hatched, the naiads live in the water, feeding on small aquatic insects, tadpoles and even small fish if they are able to catch them. After a few years, once the naiad is fully grown, it crawls out of the water (usually at night) and sheds its 'skin', molting into a winged adult, and flies away. ©InsectIdentification.org




Known Diet of the Blue-Eyed-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
Insect biting icon
Flying insect icon
Helpful insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


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

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Rhionaeschna multicolor
Other Name(s): Blue Darner; Darner
Category: Dragonfly or Damselfly
Size (Adult; Length): 62mm to 70mm (2.44" to 2.75")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: blue; brown; gray; black; purple; green; yellow; silver
Descriptors: flying; helpful; biting; long; eyes; tail


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 62mm (2.4in) and 70mm (2.8in)
Lo: 62mm
Md: 66mm
Hi: 70mm

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 Blue-eyed 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 Blue-eyed 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)