Species Aeshna umbrosa - Shadow Darner

Classification · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Life Cycle · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Shadow Darner male thoracic stripes - Aeshna umbrosa - male

Turquoise-tipped Darner at rest. - Aeshna umbrosa

Family Aeshnidae?-shadow darner - Aeshna umbrosa

late season dragonfly identification request - Aeshna umbrosa

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)

Suborder Anisoptera (Dragonflies)

Family Aeshnidae (Darners)

Genus Aeshna (Mosaic Darners)

Species umbrosa (Shadow Darner)

Size

Length 7.5 cm

Identification

Has eastern and western forms. See print references.

Range

Northern North America: boreal forests south to midwest

Habitat

Shaded streams in forests, also shaded ponds, swamps etc.

Season

April to November

Food

Predatory on flying insects. Feeds often at dusk, prefers shade.

Life Cycle

Flies late in year. Female darners typically oviposit into aquatic plants, using their blade-like ovipositors. Female Shadow Darners frequently oviposit into wet, decaying wood. (Blue Darners of British Columbia--see Internet references.)

Print References

Dunkle, pp. 45-46, plate 4 (1)

Internet References

Gloria Mundi Press

California Darners

Odonata United States--note that dot map is incomplete

Dragonhunter.net

The Blue Darners: dragonflies of the genus Aeshna in British Columbia--very good on life history

Works Cited

1.	Dragonflies Through Binoculars: A Field Guide to Dragonflies of North America By Sidney W. Dunkle

Contributed by Cotinis on 29 August, 2004 - 6:42am

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2008 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.

Printer Friendly Version