# Common Green Darner (*Anax junius*) The Common Green Darner is a large dragonfly that can be seen flying over ponds. They are fast and colorful! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 35 - **Habitat:** Ponds and wetlands - **Also known as:** Green Darner, Green Dragonfly ![Common Green Darner](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426124/objects/5504.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Green Darner is a large dragonfly with a bright green thorax and a long, stout abdomen that is typically blue in males and greenish-brown in females. Its clear wings have a distinctive dark spot near the tip of each wing, making it easily recognizable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Aeshnidae - **Genus:** Anax ## Interesting facts - Dragonflies existed on Earth before dinosaurs roamed. - Each of their four wings can move in a different direction! - Their babies live underwater for up to two years! - They catch and eat other insects in mid-air with their legs. ## Special abilities - **Acrobatic Flight:** Common Green Darner can fly forward, backward, hover, and even upside down because of its independently moving wings, that helps them hunt prey. - **360-Degree Vision:** Common Green Darner has huge compound eyes that cover most of its head, giving it nearly 360-degree vision, which helps them spot tiny insects. - **Super Migrator:** Common Green Darner can migrate hundreds of kilometers south for winter because of their strong flight muscles, that helps them find warm climates. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 80-110 mm - **Size:** 68-80 mm - **Lifespan:** 50-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 58 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding They are aerial insect hunters, snatching other bugs right out of the sky! - **Age differences:** Nymphs live underwater and eat aquatic insects, tadpoles, and small fish. - **Primary Foods:** Mosquitoes, Flies, Moths, Butterflies, Beetles, Midges - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Common House Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — helps control mosquito populations - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — catches them in mid-air - **Eaten by:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — nymphs are prey for this fish - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — adults are sometimes caught by birds ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [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. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Green 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 Common Green Darner's wingspan? 80-110 mm ### How big is Common Green Darner? 68-80 mm ### How long does Common Green Darner live? 50-60 days ### How fast can Common Green Darner fly? 58 km/h ### What does Common Green Darner eat? They are aerial insect hunters, snatching other bugs right out of the sky! ### Where is Common Green Darner usually found? Ponds and wetlands ### How does Common Green Darner hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Chilocco Indian Agricultural School](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chilocco-indian-agricultural-school) — Oklahoma, US · Campus - [City Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/city-park) — Colorado, US · Park - [Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-st-jean-baptiste-state-historic-site) — Louisiana, US · Nature Reserve - [Glen Haven](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/glen-haven) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Hickory Hill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hickory-hill-park) — Iowa, US · Nature Reserve - [P Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/p-ranch) — Oregon, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Common Green Darner](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-green-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: [Common Green Darner: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-green-darner)