Insect
Blue-eyed Darner
Rhionaeschna multicolorBlue-eyed darners patrol sunny shorelines and open meadows with tireless flight, scanning the air for small flying insects. Males feature striking sky-blue eyes paired with bright blue abdominal spots, while females display blue, green, or brown coloration. Aquatic nymphs hunt aggressively underwater before transforming into adults during early spring.
Aerial HunterVibrant BlueWetland Species
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyMosquitoes, Midges, Small flies
Predators
- Insectivorous birds
- Frogs
- Spiders
ThreatsHabitat loss, wetland degradation, and chemical pesticide runoff
HabitatsPonds, lakes, marshes, slow streams, and sagebrush steppe
Life span1–2 years total; adults live 1–2 months
Classification
- FamilyAeshnidae
- SpeciesRhionaeschna multicolor
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Shoreline Spotting: Search along sunny pond edges during warm afternoons when males territoriality patrol the water.
- Perch Observation: Look for roosting adults hanging vertically on low vegetation when temperatures drop late in the day.
Competitor (c) Eugene Zelenko, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Nathan Earley, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nathan Earley · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.