# California Darner (*Rhionaeschna californica*) The California Darner is a beautiful dragonfly with bright colors and long wings. It loves to fly over ponds and streams, catching bugs in the air. Watching them zip around is a fun sight! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![California Darner](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/California_Darners.jpg&width=800) Photo: Len Blumin from Mill Valley, California, United States, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:California_Darners.jpg) ## Appearance The California Darner has a robust body, usually featuring a bright green thorax and a striking blue abdomen, especially in mature males. Its large compound eyes meet at the top of its head, a key feature distinguishing it from other dragonflies, giving it an almost helmeted appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Aeshnidae - **Genus:** Rhionaeschna ## Interesting facts - California Darners warm up in the sun by pointing their heads at it, like tiny solar panels! - Dragonflies were among Earth's first winged insects, flying millions of years before dinosaurs! - Their babies, called nymphs, live underwater for years before they finally emerge and fly! - They can hunt with incredible precision, snatching tiny flies right out of the air mid-flight! ## Special abilities - **Super Sight:** California Darner has huge compound eyes that give it almost 360-degree vision, helping them spot tiny prey and predators. - **Acrobatic Pilot:** California Darner can move its two pairs of wings independently, allowing it to hover, fly backward, and turn rapidly in mid-air. - **Airborne Net:** California Darner has spiky legs that form a basket to scoop up insects right out of the air while flying at high speed. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 90-110 mm - **Size:** 60-80 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 50 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These expert hunters quickly snatch up other insects in mid-air with their strong jaws. - **Age differences:** Nymphs hunt aquatic invertebrates and small tadpoles; adults hunt flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitoes, flies, midges, gnats, butterflies, moths - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Western Encephalitis Mosquito (*Culex tarsalis*) — Adults prey on adult mosquitoes. - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — Adults and nymphs are prey for frogs. - **Eaten by:** Mallard Duck (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — Ducks may eat dragonfly nymphs. - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Adults actively pursue and eat flies. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Dragonflies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify California Darner? Compare wing shape and resting posture, where the eyes sit, body markings and the tail segments. Males and females can look very different in color. Dragonfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is California Darner's wingspan? 90-110 mm ### How big is California Darner? 60-80 mm ### How long does California Darner live? 30-60 days ### How fast can California Darner fly? 50 km/h ### What does California Darner eat? These expert hunters quickly snatch up other insects in mid-air with their strong jaws. ### Where is California Darner usually found? Wetlands ### How does California Darner hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Sonoma Plaza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sonoma-plaza) — California, US · Park - [Manito Park and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/manito-park-and-botanical-gardens) — Washington, US · Botanical Garden - [Simson Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/simson-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see California Darner](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/california-darner) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [California Darner: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-darner)