Insect
Blue-eyed Darner
Aeshna multicolorBright sky-blue eyes and turquoise-patterned abdomens distinguish mature males as they patrol open waters, meadows, and clearings across western North America. Active hunters, these large dragonflies capture gnats, mosquitoes, and small moths mid-air using their spiny legs like a basket. After mating, females deposit eggs into submerged plant tissue while hovering solitary or in tandem over calm ponds and slow streams.
Agile FlyerPond SkimmerPredatory Insect
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyMosquitoes, Midges, Small Moths
Predators
- Birds
- Frogs
- Fish
ThreatsWetland loss, pesticide contamination, pollution
HabitatsPonds, lakes, slow streams, and damp meadows
Life span1 to 2 years (mostly as aquatic nymph; adults live 1 to 2 months)
Classification
- FamilyAeshnidae
- SpeciesAeshna 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
- Observation Timing: Scan quiet pond edges on warm, sunny afternoons when males actively patrol their territories.
- Photography Focus: Look for perching individuals on reeds or low foliage early in the morning before they warm up.
Competitor "July 2014 CPM Art Challenge Photo 'Blue Dasher' #1407" by COLORED PENCIL magazine is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Nathan Earley, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nathan Earley · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative 
Family Member (c) Eugene Zelenko, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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