Common Green Darner

The green darner or common green darner, after its resemblance to a darning needle, is a species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae. One of the most common and abundant species throughout North America, it also ranges south to Panama. It is well known for its great migration distance from the northern United States south into Texas and Mexico. It also occurs in the Caribbean, Tahiti, and Asia from Japan to mainland China. It is the official insect for the state of Washington in the United States. Scientific Name: Anax junius Range: North America, Central America, parts of Asia Size: Body 6.8–8.4 cm; wingspan ~11 cm Status: Common ID Notes: Bright green thorax. Males have a brilliant blue abdomen; females and juveniles have purple-gray to red abdomens. Distinctive bullseye spot on the forehead. Behavior / Notes: One of the few migratory dragonflies in North America. Larvae are top aquatic predators in ponds.