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

Common Green Darner (Anax junius)


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


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/7
Image Credit: Peter S., taken in Acton, MA
Full-sized image of the Common-Green-Darner Thumbnail image of the Common-Green-Darner
2/7
Image Credit: Melissa L. from New Baltimore, MI
Full-sized image #2 of the Common-Green-Darner Thumbnail image #2 of the Common-Green-Darner
3/7
Image Credit: Karl M. from Shoreview, MN
Full-sized image #3 of the Common-Green-Darner Thumbnail image #3 of the Common-Green-Darner
4/7
Image Credit: Dan P.
Full-sized image #4 of the Common-Green-Darner Thumbnail image #4 of the Common-Green-Darner
5/7
Image Credit: Joe V. from AR
Full-sized image #5 of the Common-Green-Darner Thumbnail image #5 of the Common-Green-Darner
6/7
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #6 of the Common-Green-Darner Thumbnail image #6 of the Common-Green-Darner
7/7
Image Credit: Lauren E. from TX
Full-sized image #7 of the Common-Green-Darner Thumbnail image #7 of the Common-Green-Darner

The large Common Green Darner is as fast as it is long and these water-loving insects are iconic summertime spectacles.



Updated: 12/29/2023; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
Common Green Darners are beautiful dragonflies with transparent wings. They are large specimens that are common throughout North America and are thought to be somewhat migratory. They are members of the family Aeschnidae, a group of giant darners that have flight speeds one wouldn't expect from such a large and heavy-looking insect. They are most recognized by their striking green coloration. The male features blue along the sides of the abdomen while the female is a greenish-gray. The male also has an eyespot on the head, giving it the appearance of a cyclops. Younger males may not yet have the blue coloring and may appear more like a female.

Common Green Darners are almost always found near water sources. Females will slightly bend their abdomens over water and insert an egg, one-at-a-time, into the stem of an underwater plant. The eggs hatch and young naiads (juveniles) emerge, looking more like tiny lobsters than darners. They live underwater and feed on tadpoles, other aquatic insects, and tiny fish until they grow and develop. The naiads then crawl out of the water and morph into their adult forms. Adults eat mosquitoes, flies, midges, wasps, and other flying insects, helping to control the population sizes of insects that many people consider pests.©InsectIdentification.org




Known Diet of the Common-Green-Darner



bees; wasps; mosquitos; butterflies and midges
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
Patterned insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


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

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Anax junius
Other Name(s): Green Darner, Snake Doctor, Darning Needle
Category: Dragonfly or Damselfly
Size (Adult; Length): 68mm to 80mm (2.67" to 3.14")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: blue; gray; green; yellow; black; brown; purple
Descriptors: tail; cyclops; eye; eyespot; large; dragonfly; flying; beneficial

Common-Green-Darner Video(s)




A resting Common Green Darner.


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 68mm (2.7in) and 80mm (3.1in)
Lo: 68mm
Md: 74mm
Hi: 80mm

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 Common Green 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 Common Green 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

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)