Springtime Darner
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Basiaeschna janata
Say, 1839
Order Odonata
Suborder Anisoptera
Superfamily Aeshnoidea
Family Aeshnidae
Genus Basiaeschna
Species janata (Say, 1839) [Aeschna]
Identification
This brown species is marked with blue-green and distinctive pale yellow or cream-colored lateral thoracic stripes. There are two pale middorsal thoracic stripes that become obscured with age. The wings are clear with a small basal brown spot extending out to the first antenodal crossvein in each wing. The abdomen is brown with pale blue spots that
become obscured in preserved specimens. Females have either blue or green spots.
Size
Total length: 50-67 mm; abdomen: 38-51 mm; hindwing: 32-42 mm.
Similar Species
Fawn Darner (Boyeria vinosa
) has two pale yellow spots on the side of the thorax and lacks blue spots on the abdomen. Harlequin (Gomphaeshna furcillata
) and Taper-tailed (G. antilope
) Darner both lack blue spots on the abdomen and the lateral thoracic stripes are not straight.
Habitat
Small forest lakes and streams and rivers with slow current.
Discussion
This common species is much like Fawn Darner in its habits. It is found earlier in the spring in many of the same locations that the former will visit later in the summer. They are active during the day, sometimes well into the evening. They patrol streams and lake shores with greater speed and at greater heights than Fawn Darner. Females lay eggs below the water surface in live plants and dead leaves or cattails.
Distribution
Eastern U.S. and Canada westward to Oklahoma and Texas.
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