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Anax junius (24)
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![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 503 W: 5 N: 1129]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (4631) | Common Green Darner-female
Anax junius
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Info on the Common Green Darner
Other Names
Green Darner, Dragon Fly
Description
When fully grown, green darners are about 3 inches (7.6cm) long and have a wingspan of 4.5 inches (11.4cm). They have a green head and thorax. The abdomen is yellow and brown on females; long, slender and bluish on males. They have large compound eyes, strong jaws, and spiny legs. Their wings are clear with a yellowish tint toward the tips and are strongly veined with net-like pattern.
Life History
Larvae eat fish eggs, tadpoles and other small aquatic animals. Adults eat wasps, butterflies, mosquitoes, and other flying insects (including other dragonflies). Larvae are eaten by fish, turtles, frogs, and wading birds. Adults are eaten by birds, fish and frogs. Two to three months after emerging as adult dragonflies, green darners reach sexual maturity. Eggs are laid one at a time in aquatic vegetation. The eggs hatch in the spring. During the larval stages, generally lasting two to three years, the nymphs (aquatic larvae) pass through 11 to 12 larval stages before metamorphosing into dragonflies. Once they emerge as adults, they immediately begin the cycle again. Green darners spend a few years in larval form, and only live four to seven weeks as adults.
During the reproductive stage, the common green darner seeks fresh water ponds. Males return first, then females who have already developed a batch of eggs. If the female is receptive, mating begins. They often mate in flight. Immediately after mating, common green darner females lay their eggs, one at a time, in tiny slits in submerged aquatic plants. Males work hard to protect their territories. Some have been clocked chasing intruders away at 35 miles per hour. Common green darners are one of the few dragonflies that migrate in the spring and fall. Scientists believe that they migrate with seasonal warm fronts.
Most of a dragonfly's brain is dedicated to processing and responding to what they see. Their complex eyes provide nearly 360-degree vision. Dragonflies can hover like a helicopter. They can exchange oxygen through specially adapted anal chambers.
Habitat
Common green darners prefer permanent and temporary ponds, lakes, bays, estuaries and slow-moving streams and riparian areas (land adjacent to a body of water).
Distribution
Green darners are common throughout North America, the West Indies, and South America.
Other
Dragonflies haven't changed much over the last 300 million years. Today they are one of the most easily recognized of all insects. The common green darner is the largest, most abundant and widespread dragonfly species in North America. Common green darners are called "mosquito hawks" because they eat mosquitoes, providing an important service to humans. As an animal that lives in both freshwater and terrestrial (land) habitats, having healthy green darner populations indicates a balanced and healthy ecosystem.
Texas Parks And Wildlife |
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