Insect
Lake Darner
Aeshna eremitaLake darners rank among the largest dragonflies in North America, patrolling shorelines with swift, tireless flight as they hunt aerial insects. Males vigorously defend territories along cold boreal lakes and marshy bays, frequently perching on sunlit tree trunks or emergent vegetation. Females insert eggs into living aquatic plant stems just beneath the water line using a sharp, blade-like ovipositor.
Aerial PredatorAquatic LarvaCold-adapted
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyMosquitoes, Midges, Damselflies
Predators
- Frogs
- Trout
- American Kestrel
ThreatsWetland drainage, shoreline degradation, and pesticide contamination
HabitatsBoreal lakes, peat bogs, marshy bays, and northern forest ponds
Life span1 to 3 years (mostly in aquatic nymph stage; adults live 1–2 months)
Classification
- FamilyAeshnidae
- SpeciesAeshna eremita
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Harmless to humans; safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Look on Tree Trunks: Adults often bask vertically on sunny tree bark on cool mornings.
- Inspect the Face: Bring binoculars to spot the bold black cross-line on the frons.
Close Relative (c) Nick Block, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Block · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Blake Ross, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Member (c) Eugene Zelenko, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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