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Aeshnidae - Darners, Hawkers

southern hawker

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae

Common Green DarnerThis family includes the largest species of dragonflies found in North America and Europe. They range in size from 2-5 inches in length. Most species are around 3 inches in length. They are known as darners in North America because the female's abdomen looks like a sewing needle when she cuts into plant stems to lay her eggs.

Darners have long, thin abdomens; four transparent wings; and large, round, compound eyes that meet at the top of their head. Most species are blue or green or a combination of blue and green.

Darners hunt and eat other insects. They spend most of their time during the day flying and looking for prey. Males can be very territorial and will chase away other males. The dragonflies in this family are very fast fliers and can fly backwards and forwards and can hover in the air like a helicopter.

Darner naiads (immature dragonflies) are long and slender. They move through the water by squirting water out of their abdomens. They climb over submerged vegetation hunting for food. They eat mosquito larvae, damselfly and dragonfly nymphs, tadpoles, and small fish. When a naiad is the right size, it crawls up on a plant stem, its skin splits, and a dragonfly emerges. To avoid predators, naiads usually do this at night.

galleryAeshnidae Photo Gallery

World Status Key
Least ConcernLeast Concern Near ThreatenedNear Threatened VulnerableVulnerable EndangeredEndangered Critically EndangeredCritically Endangered extinct in the wildExtinct in Wild extinctExtinct Not Enough DataNot Enough Data
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist.


U.S. Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in US Endangered in US Endangered in US Introduced Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife. Click on U.S. status icon to go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife species profile.

New Hampshire Status Key
Threatened in New Hampshire Threatened in NH Endangered in NH Endangered in NH Breeds in NH Breeds in NH (birds)
Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Location Key
Africa Africa Asia Asia Australia Australia/Oceania Europe Europe North America North America South America South America New Hampshire Species NH

More Info
More Info Click for More Info picture Click for Image

Resource Key
profile Profile Photos Photos Video Video Audio Audio

New Hampshire Species

Black-tipped Darner - Aeshna tuberculifera Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Canada Darner - Aeshna canadensis Least Concern North America image More Info
Green-striped Darner - Aeshna verticalis Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Lake Darner - Aeshna eremita Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Lance-tipped Darner - Aeshna constricta Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Mottled Darner - Aeshna clepsydra Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species More Info
Sedge Darner - Aeshna juncea Least Concern Asia Europe North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Shadow Darner - Aeshna umbrosa Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Subarctic Darner - Aeshna subarctica Least Concern Asia Europe North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Variable Darner - Aeshna interrupta Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Zigzag Darner - Aeshna sitchensis Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Comet Darner - Anax longipes Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Common Green Darner - Anax junius Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Springtime Darner - Basiaeschna janata Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Fawn Darner - Boyeria vinosa Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Ocellated Darner - Boyeria grafiana Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species More Info
Swamp Darner - Epiaeschna heros Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Harlequin Darner - Gomphaeschna furcillata Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Taper-tailed Darner - Gomphaeschna antilope Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species More Info
Cyrano Darner - Nasiaeschna pentacantha Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species image More Info
Spatterdock Darner - Rhionaeschna mutata Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species More Info

North/Central American Species

Azure Darner - Aeshna septentrionalis North America More Info
Paddle-tailed Darner - Aeshna palmata  Least Concern North America image More Info
Persephone's Darner - Aeshna persephone Least Concern North America More Info
Walker’s Darner - Aeshna walkeri North America
Williamson's Darner - Aeshna williamsoniana North America
Amazon Darner - Anax amazili North America South America image More Info
Blue-spotted Comet Darner - Anax concolor Least Concern North America South America More Info
Giant Darner - Anax walsinghami North America More Info
Hawaian Darner - Anax strenuus North America More Info
Blue-faced Darner - Coryphaeschna adnexa Least Concern North America South America image More Info
Mangrove Darner - Coryphaeschna viriditas North America
Regal Darner - Coryphaeschna ingens Least Concern North America image More Info
Bar-sided Darner - Gynacantha mexicana North America More Info
Twilight Darner - Gynacantha nervosa Least Concern North America South America image More Info
Riffle Darner - Oplonaeschna armata North America More Info
Malachite Darner - Remartinia luteipennis Least Concern North America South America More Info
Arroyo Darner - Rhionaeschna dugesi Least Concern North America More Info
Blue-eyed Darner - Rhionaeschna multicolor Least Concern North America image More Info
California Darner - Rhionaeschna californica Least Concern North America image More Info
Turquoise-tipped Darner - Rhionaeschna psilus North America South America More Info
Rhionaeschna vazquezae  Not Enough Data North America
Caribbean Darner - Triacanthagyna caribbea Least Concern North America South America More Info
Pale-green Darner - Triacanthagyna septima North America
Phantom Darner - Triacanthagyna trifida Least Concern North America image More Info

Selected Species from Around the World

Thylacine Darner - Acanthaeschna victoria Vulnerable Australia
Azure Hawker - Aeshna caerulea Least Concern Asia Europe image More Info
Baltic Hawker - Aeshna serrata  Least Concern Asia Europe More Info
Blue-spotted Hawker - Aeshna brevistyla Least Concern Australia image More Info
Brown Hawker - Aeshna grandis Least Concern Asia Europe image More Info
Green Hawker - Aeshna viridis  Least Concern Asia Europe image More Info
Green-eyed Hawker - Aeshna isoceles Least Concern Africa Asia Europe image More Info
Migrant Hawker - Aeshna mixta Least Concern Africa Asia Europe image More Info
Siberian Hawker - Aeshna crenata  Least Concern image More Info
Southern Migrant Hawker - Aeshna affinis  Africa Asia Europe image More Info
Southern Hawker - Aeshna cyanea Least Concern Africa Europe image More Info
Aeshna ossiliensis  Least Concern Europe
Aeshna petalura  Least Concern Asia
Evening Hawker - Anaciaeschna triangulifera Least Concern Africa image More Info
Blue Emperor - Anax imperator Least Concern Africa Asia Europe image More Info
Blue-spotted Emperor - Anax nigrofasciatus Least Concern Asia image
Dark Emperor - Anax chloromelas Least Concern Africa More Info
Lesser Emperor - Anax parthenope  Least Concern Africa Asia Europe image More Info
Lesser Green Emperor - Anax guttatus Least Concern Asia Australia image More Info
Magnificent Emperor - Anax immaculifrons Least Concern Asia Europe image More InfoOrange Emperor - Anax speratus Least Concern Africa image More Info
Swamp Emperor - Anax bangweuluensis Near Threatened Africa
Vagrant Emperor - Anax ephippiger Least Concern Africa Asia Europe image More Info
Black Emperor - Anax tristis  Least Concern Africa More Info
Terrestrial Evening Darner - Antipodophlebia asthenes Near Threatened Australia
Green-striped Darner - Austroaeschna forcipata  Near Threatened Australia
Multi-spotted Darner - Austroaeschna multipunctata Least Concern Australia More Info
Ochre-tipped Darner - Austroaeschna weiskei Least Concern Australia More Info
Southern Giant Darner - Austrophlebia costalis Least Concern Australia
Cretan Spotted Darner - Boyeria cretensis Endangered Europe More Info
Western Spectre - Boyeria irene Europe image More Info
Hairy Hawker - Brachytron pratense Europe image More Info
Yellow-spotted Dusk-hawker - Cephalaeschna klotsae Not Enough Data Asia
Wide-faced Darner - Dendroaeschna conspersa Least Concern Australia image More Info
Black-kneed Duskhawker - Gynacantha bullata  Least Concern Africa More Info
Brown Darner - Gynacantha dravida data Asia image
Hairy Duskhawker - Gynacantha villosa  Least Concern Africa
Little Duskhawker - Gynacantha manderica Least Concern Africa More Info
Usambara Duskhawker - Gynacantha usambarica Least Concern Africa
Yellow-legged Duskhawker - Gynacantha nigeriensis Least Concern Africa
Mina Net-winged Darner - Neuraeschna mina Not Enough Data South America
Stream Hawker - Pinheyschna subpupillata Least Concern Africa
Yemen Hawker - Pinheyschna yemenensis Vulnerable Asia
Rhionaeschna diffinis  Least Concern South America
Rhionaeschna galapagoensis  Endangered South America
Rhionaeschna peralta  Least Concern South America
Rhionaeschna planaltica  Least Concern South America
Tropical Cascade Darner - Spinaeschna watsoni Not Enough Data Australia
Friendly Hawker - Zosteraeschna minuscula Least Concern Africa image More Info

Additional Information

Amazon Darner - Anax amazili profile Photos North America South America
The Amazon darner is found from Florida, Louisiana and Texas in the U.S. southward through Mexico to Puerto Rico and Argentina.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Arroyo Darner - Rhionaeschna dugesi profile Least Concern North America
The Arroyo darner is found in the southwestern U.S. from Texas to Arizona south through Mexico.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Azure Darner - Aeshna septentrionalis profile Photos North America
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Azure Hawker - Aeshna caerulea profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe
The azure hawker is found in Austria, Belarus, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Source: British Dragonfly Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Baltic Hawker - Aeshna serrata profile Photos Least Concern Asia Europe
The Baltic hawker is found in Armenia, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Sweden, and Turkey
Source: Dragonfly Pix Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Bar-sided Darner - Gynacantha mexicana profile Photos North America
The bar-sided darner is found from the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas south through Mexico.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black Emperor - Anax tristis Least Concern Africa Photos
The black emperor is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Réunion, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Source: Africa Dragonfly Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-kneed Duskhawker - Gynacantha bullata Photos Least Concern Africa
The black-kneed duskhawker is found in Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda.
Source: Africa Dragonfly Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-tipped Darner - Aeshna tuberculifera Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The black-tipped darner is found in the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-tipped Darner - Aeshna tuberculifera profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The black-tipped darner is found near clear lakes and ponds.
Source: Montana Field Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-tipped Darner - Aeshna tuberculifera profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The black-tipped darner has bluish-green stripes.
Source: Maryland Biodiversity Project Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Black-tipped Darner - Aeshna tuberculifera profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The black-tipped darner is often seen in single-species or mixed-species feeding swarms.
Source: Wisconsin Odonata Survey Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Blue Emperor - Anax imperator profile Photos Least Concern Africa Asia Europe
The blue emperor is also known as the emperor dragonfly. It is found from the British Isles across Europe to central Asia, and south to north and central Africa.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Blue-eyed Darner - Rhionaeschna multicolor profile Photos Least Concern North America
The blue-eyed darner is found in central and western North America from southern Alberta and British Columbia to Texas and California south to Mexico.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Blue-eyed Darner - Rhionaeschna multicolor profile Photos Least Concern North America
The blue-eyed darner is found near lakes, ponds, marshes, and slow streams with edge vegetation, as well as acid bogs. 
Source: Montana Field Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Blue-faced Darner - Coryphaeschna adnexa profile Least Concern North America South America
The blue-faced darner is found in Florida, south Texas and Mexico south to Brazil. It is also found in the Caribbean.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Blue-spotted Comet Darner - Anax concolor Photos Least Concern North America South America
The blue-spotted comet darner is found in Texas and Mexico south through Central and South America. It is also found in Cuba, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Blue-spotted Hawker - Aeshna brevistyla Photos Least Concern Australia
The blue-spotted hawker is found in Australia.
Source:
Australian Dragonflies Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Brown Hawker - Aeshna grandis profile Least Concern Asia Europe
The brown hawker is found in Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
Source: British Dragonfly Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

California Darner - Rhionaeschna californica Photos Least Concern North America
The California darner is found near lakes, ponds, marshes and stream pools.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

California Darner - Rhionaeschna californica profile Photos Least Concern North America
Adult California darners eat mosquitoes, flies, small moths, mayflies, and flying ants and termites.
Source: Montana Field Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Canada Darner - Aeshna canadensis Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The Canada darner is found across much of Canada and the United States.
Source: BioKids Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School

Canada Darner - Aeshna canadensis profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The Canada darner male is blue and brown. The female can be blue, yellow, or green and brown.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Canada Darner - Aeshna canadensis Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The Canada darner is found near bogs, beaver ponds, lakes, and other freshwater areas with lots of forest vegetation.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Canada Darner - Aeshna canadensis Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The Canada darner spends most of its life as a nymph.
Source: Maryland Biodiversity Project Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Canada Darner - Aeshna canadensis profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The Canada darner can be blue, green, or brown i,
Source: Montana Field Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Caribbean Darner - Triacanthagyna caribbea Least Concern North America South America
The Caribbean darner is found from Mexico south to Bolivia and Brazil.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Comet Darner - Anax longipes profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The comet darner is found from Ontario and Quebec in Canada throughout the eastern United States southward to Texas and Florida.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Comet Darner - Anax longipes profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The comet darner captures its prey in flight with its long legs.
Source: Maryland Biodiversity Projct Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Comet Darner - Anax longipes profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The comet darner is found near permanent small lakes, coastal plain ponds, abandoned shallow quarry ponds, natural rocky ponds, and sometimes constructed farm ponds. 
Source: NY Natural Heritage Program Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Common Green Darner - Anax junius profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The common green darner is found from British Columbia through Nova Scotia and south through most of the U.S., including Hawaii, and into Mexico and the Caribbean.
Source: Bishop Museum Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Common Green Darner - Anax junius profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The common green darner is one of the few North American dragonflies that migrates.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Common Green Darner - Anax junius profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The common green darner is the official state insect of Washington.
Source: BioKids Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School

Common Green Darner - Anax junius profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The common green darner is one of the largest dragonfly species.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Common Green Darner - Anax junius profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The common green darner has a bright green head and thorax and a blue abdomen.
Source: Montana Field Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cretan Spotted Darner - Boyeria cretensis profile Endangered Europe
The cretan spotted darner is found in Crete, Greece.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cyrano Darner - Nasiaeschna pentacantha profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The Cyrano darner is found across much of the eastern U.S. and in southeastern Canada.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Cyrano Darner - Nasiaeschna pentacantha profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The Cyrano darner is found in wooded wetlands, swamps, and slow, wooded streams.
Source: Maryland Biodiviersity Project Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Dark Emperor - Anax chloromelas Least Concern Africa
The dark emperor is found in Cameroon, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.
Source: Africa Dragonfly Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Evening Hawker - Anaciaeschna triangulifera Photos Least Concern Africa
The evening hawker is found in Angola, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Source: Africa Dragonfly Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Fawn Darner - Boyeria vinosa Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The fawn darner is found from Ontario east to Prince Edward Island and south to Texas and Florida.
Source: BioKids Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School

Fawn Darner - Boyeria vinosa profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
Unlike most dragonfly species, the fawn darner prefers low light and can often be seen at dusk.
Source: Maryland Biodiversity Project Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Fawn Darner - Boyeria vinosaprofile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The fawn darner is found near forested streams.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Friendly Hawker - Zosteraeschna minuscula Least Concern Africa
The friendly hawker is found in Namibia and South Africa.
Source: Warwick Tarboton Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Giant Darner - Anax walsinghami profile Photos North America
The giant darner is found in the southwestern U.S., Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Green Hawker - Aeshna viridis profile Least Concern Asia Europe
The green hawker is found in Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Sweden, and Ukraine.
Source: Dragonfly Pix Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Green-eyed Hawker - Aeshna isoceles profile Least Concern Africa Asia Europe
The green-eyed hawker is found in Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Macedonia, Malta, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
Source: British Dragonfly Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Green-striped Darner - Aeshna verticalis Least Concern Photos North America New Hampshire Species
The green-striped darner is found in the northeastern U.S. and southern Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, Canada.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Hairy Hawker - Brachytron pratense profile Photos Europe
The hairy hawker is found in Europe. It is also known as the hairy dragonfly.
Source: British Dragonfly Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Harlequin Darner - Gomphaeschna furcillata profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The harlequin darner is found in the eastern U.S. from Ontario south to Florida and west to Texas and Wisconsin.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Harlequin Darner - Gomphaeschna furcillata profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The harlequin darner is a small darner.
Source: Maryland Biodiversity Project Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Hawaiian Darner - Anax strenuus Photos North America
The Hawaiian darner is found in Middle elevations in Hawaii.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Hawaian Darner - Anax strenuus profile Photos North America
The Hawaian darner is also known as the Pinao in Hawaii. It is the largest dragonfly found in the United States.
Source: Bishop Museum Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School

Lake Darner - Aeshna eremita profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The lake darner is found from Alaska across Canada and the northern U.S.
Source: Montana Field Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Lake Darner - Aeshna eremita profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The lake darner is has a black body with blue stripes.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Lance-tipped Darner - Aeshna constricta profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The lance-tipped darner is found from southern Canada southward to northern Arkansas and New Mexico.
Source: Montana Field Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Lance-tipped Darner - Aeshna constricta profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The lance-tipped darner is found near ponds, marshes, and lakes.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Lance-tipped Darner - Aeshna constricta profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The lance-tipped darner is often found perching in low plants.
Source: Maryland Biodiversity Project Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Lesser Emperor - Anax parthenope Photos Least Concern Africa Asia Europe
The lesser emperor is found in southern Europe, northern Africa, and Asia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Lesser Green Emperor - Anax guttatus Least Concern Asia Australia
The lesser green emperor is found in Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cook Islands, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
Source: Africa Dragonfly Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Little Duskhawker - Gynacantha manderica Video Least Concern Africa
The little duskhawker is found in Benin, Burundi, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Source: Warwick Tarboton Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Magnificent Emperor - Anax immaculifrons Least Concern Asia Europe
The magnificent emperor is found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Cyprus, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam.
Source: Asia Dragonfly Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Malachite Darner - Remartinia luteipennis Least Concern North America South America
The malachite darner is found from Mexico to northern Argentina. It is also found in Arizona in the U.S.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Migrant Hawker - Aeshna mixta profile Least Concern Africa Asia Europe
The migrant hawker is found from Europe to the north of Asia and eastwards to Japan.
Source: British Dragonfly Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Mottled Darner - Aeshna clepsydra Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The mottled darner is found in Canada and in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.
Source: Bug Guider Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Mottled Darner - Aeshna clepsydra profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The mottled darner is found near marshes and bogs and small lakes.
Source: NY Natural Heritage Program Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Multi-spotted Darner - Austroaeschna multipunctata Least Concern Australia
The multi-spotted darner is found in Australia.
Source: South Australia Birding Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Ocellated Darner - Boyeria grafiana profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The ocellated darner is found in the eastern U.S. and Canada.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Ocellated Darner - Boyeria grafiana Photos profileLeast Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The ocellated darner is found ialong streams and rivers.
Source: Maryland Biodiversity Project Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Ochre-tipped Darner - Austroaeschna weiskei Least Concern Australia
The ochre-tipped darner is found in Australia.
Source: South Australia Birding Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Orange Emperor - Anax speratus Least Concern Africa
The orange emperor is found in Angola, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Source: Warwick Tarboton Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Paddle-tailed Darner - Aeshna palmata Photos Least Concern North America
The paddle-tailed darner is found in western North America from Alaska south and west to Nebraska and New Mexico.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Paddle-tailed Darner - Aeshna palmata profile Photos Least Concern North America
The paddle-tailed darner is found inear  lakes and ponds with dense shoreline vegetation, marshy or boggy ponds, fens, and saline ponds, as well as slow-moving streams.
Source: Montana Field Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Persephone's Darner - Aeshna persephone profile Least Concern North America
Persephone's darner is found in the Southwestern U.S. in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. It is also found in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Phantom Darner - Triacanthagyna trifida Least Concern North America
In the U.S. the phantom darner is found in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. It is also found in the Caribbean.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Regal Darner - Coryphaeschna ingens profile Least Concern North America
The regal darner is found in the southeastern U.S., Cuba, and the Bahamas.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Riffle Darner - Oplonaeschna armata profile Photos North America
The riffle darner is found in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. It is also found in Mexico south to Guatemala.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Sedge Darner - Aeshna juncea Photos Asia Least Concern Europe North America New Hampshire Species
The sedge darner is found throughout Canada and the northern U.S. It is also found in Europe and Asia..
Source: Bug Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Sedge Darner - Aeshna juncea profile Photos Asia Least Concern Europe North America New Hampshire Species
The sedge darner is also known as the moorland hawker and the common hawker.
Source: Dragonfly Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Sedge Darner - Aeshna juncea profile Photos Asia Least Concern Europe North America New Hampshire Species
The sedge darner often hunts on and around tree trunks late into evening
Source: Montana Field Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Shadow Darner - Aeshna umbrosa profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The shadow darner is found throughout much of North America and Canada.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Shadow Darner - Aeshna umbrosa profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The shadow darner is found along shaded forest streams, ponds and swamps.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Shadow Darner - Aeshna umbrosa profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The shadow darner flies in the shade.
Source: Maryland Biodiversity Project Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Shadow Darner - Aeshna umbrosa profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The shadow darner adult feeds on  mosquitoes, flies, small moths, mayflies, and flying ants or termites.
Source: Montana Field Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Siberian Hawker - Aeshna crenata profile Photos Least Concern
The Siberian hawker is found in Belarus, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Russia.
Source: Dragonfly Pix Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Southern Hawker - Aeshna cyanea profile Photos Least Concern Africa Europe
The southern hawker is found in central and southern Europe and parts of northern Africa. It is also known as the blue hawker.
Source: British Dragonfly Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Southern Migrant Hawker - Aeshna affinis profile Photos Africa Asia Europe
The southern migrant hawker is found in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
Source: British Dragonfly Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Spatterdock Darner - Rhionaeschna mutata profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The spatterdock darner is found in the northeastern United States and southern Ontario, Canada.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Spatterdock Darner - Rhionaeschna mutata profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The male spatterdock darner has bright sky-blue eyes.
Source: NY Natural Heritage Program Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Spatterdock Darner - Rhionaeschna mutata profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The spatterdock darner is found near shallow, fishless ponds with lots of water lilies.
Source: Maryland Biodiversity Project Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Springtime Darner - Basiaeschna janata profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The springtime darner is found in the eastern U.S. and Canada west to Oklahoma and Texas.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Springtime Darner - Basiaeschna janata profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The springtime darner is usually found breeding at flowing water.
Source: Maryland Biodiversity Project Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Subarctic Darner - Aeshna subarctica profile Photos Least Concern Least Concern Asia Europe North America New Hampshire Species
The subarctic darner is found from Alaska, the Northwest Territories, and Newfoundland south to Oregon, Montana, Wisconsin, and New York. It is also found in Europe. and Asia.
Source: Montana Field Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Subarctic Darner - Aeshna subarctica profile Photos Least Concern Least Concern Asia Europe North America New Hampshire Species
The subarctic darner is found near ponds, bogs, and fens.
Source: NY Natural Heritage Program Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Subarctic Darner - Aeshna subarctica Photos Least ConcernLeast Concern Asia Europe North America New Hampshire Species
The subarctic darner feeds  on insects in open areas until dusk.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Swamp Darner - Epiaeschna heros profile Photos North America New Hampshire Species
The swamp darner is found in the eastern U.S. and Canada west to central Oklahoma and Texas.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Swamp Darner - Epiaeschna heros profile Photos North America New Hampshire Species
The swamp darner breeds in wooded swamps.
Source: Maryland Biodiversity Project Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Taper-tailed Darner - Gomphaeschna antilope profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The taper-tailed darner is found from New Hampshire south to Florida and west to Louisiana.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Taper-tailed Darner - Gomphaeschna antilope profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The taper-tailed darner breeds in bogs or swamp.
Source: Maryland Biodiversity Project Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Turquoise-tipped Darner - Rhionaeschna psilus profile Photos North America South America
The turquoise-tipped darner is found from southern Texas and southeastern Arizona south through Mexico to Ecuador and Peru.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Twilight Darner - Gynacantha nervosa Least Concern North America South America
The twilight darner is found in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma in the U.S. It is also found in Mexico south through Central America and South America and in the West Indies.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Vagrant Emperor - Anax ephippiger Africa Asia Europe
The vagrant emperor is found in Africa, southern Europe, central and south Asia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Variable Darner - Aeshna interrupta Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The variable darner is found from Alaska east to Newfoundland and south to California, Arizona, New Mexico, Michigan, and New Hampshire.
Source: Bug Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Variable Darner - Aeshna interrupta profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The variable darner is found near lakes and ponds with dense shoreline vegetation, marshy or boggy ponds, fens, and saline ponds, as well as slow-moving streams.
Source: Montana Field Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Western Spectre - Boyeria irene profile Photos Europe
The western spectre is found in southern Europe.
Source: Dragonfly Pix Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Wide-faced Darner - Dendroaeschna conspersa Least Concern Australia
The wide-faced darner is found in Australia.
Source: Australian Dragonflies Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Zigzag Darner - Aeshna sitchensis profile Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The zigzag darner is found from Alaska east to the Hudson Bay and south to Washington and New Hampshire.
Source: Montana Field Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Zigzag Darner - Aeshna sitchensis Photos Least Concern North America New Hampshire Species
The zigzag darner is found in Middle elevation sedge marshes near lakes and streams.
Source: BugGuide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School