Common Name - Common Green Darner

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Odonata

Family: Aeshnidae

The common green darner is one of the biggest dragonflies we have in North Dakota.  It is typically between 3-4 inches in length and has a wingspan just as large.  Males and females both have a green thorax, while the abdomen of males tend to be blue, and the abdomen of females tends to be browner or red.

As with all damselflies and dragonflies, the common green darner is predatory in all of its life stages.  The aquatic immature stages (called naiads), feed upon aquatic insects, mosquito larvae, or even small fish and tadpoles.  As adults, they have amazing flying abilities and great eyesight.  This allows them to hunt flying insects "on the wing," primarily feeding upon flies, moths, mayflies and yes…even mosquitoes!!  Even though the naiads and adults feed on mosquitoes we appreciate their great role within varying ecosystems!