Persephone's Darner
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Aeshna persephone
Donnelly, 1961
Order Odonata
Suborder Anisoptera
Superfamily Aeshnoidea
Family Aeshnidae
Genus Aeshna
Species persephone Donnelly, 1961 [Aeshna]
Identification
This species is uncommon throughout its range. There is a black cross-stripe on the face and broad yellow thoracic stripes laterally that are straight throughout their length. The abdomen has pale spots blue in males and greenish-yellow in females. The pale anterodorsal spots are well-developed on abdominal segments 4-6 only. Posterodorsal spots are well-developed on segments 4-9. Midlateral spots are lacking.
Size
Total length: 73-78 mm; abdomen: 54-59 mm; hindwing: 49-51 mm.
Similar Species
Paddle-tipped Darner (A. palmata
) is similar with but with the lateral thoracic stripes not as wide and with at least the upper halves blue. Midlateral spots are also present on abdominal segments 6-8.
Habitat
Partially shaded desert mountain streams.
Discussion
Males fly erratically between shady canyons and sunny slopes, dropping close to the streams they patrol or flying high up the canyon walls.
Distribution
Southwestern U.S., Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah and Chihuahua, Mexico.
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