insect · GBIF taxon 4302655
Blue-eyed Darner
Aeshna multicolorAlso known as Multicolored Darner
Blue-eyed darners are striking, large dragonflies easily recognized by the male's intense, sky-blue eyes and matching blue abdominal spots. They are highly active aerial predators, patrolling ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams with a swift, hovering flight pattern. During late afternoon, they often form feeding swarms over fields and forest edges to gorge on mosquitoes, gnats, and flies.
Aerial PredatorVibrant BlueSpring Emergent
Licensed referenceMike Baird / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
- diet
- Small flying insects including mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and moths
- family
- Aeshnidae
- threats
- Habitat loss, water pollution, and pesticide runoff
- life Span
- 1 to 2 years (mostly spent as aquatic nymphs)
LC
Harmless to humans; observe their acrobatic flights from a short distance.
- Look for patrols: Watch for males patrolling the edges of ponds, flying a meter or two above the water.
- Afternoon swarms: Scan sunny fields and forest edges in the late afternoon for feeding groups.
- Binocular viewing: Use close-focus binoculars to appreciate their brilliant blue eyes while they perch.