# Shadow Darner (*Aeshna umbrosa*) The Shadow Darner is a beautiful dragonfly that loves to fly around in shady areas near water. Its wings are long and colorful, making it a lovely sight to see as it zooms by! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Shadow Darner](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Shadow_Darner%252C_female.jpg&width=800) Photo: D. Gordon E. Robertson, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shadow_Darner%252C_female.jpg) ## Appearance The Shadow Darner is a large dragonfly with a dark body, usually black or deep brown, adorned with bright blue or green spots and stripes. Its large compound eyes are often bluish-green, and the thorax can appear dusted with white. These distinct markings help differentiate it from other darner species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Aeshnidae - **Genus:** Aeshna ## Interesting facts - Dragonflies are one of the oldest insect groups, flying since the age of dinosaurs! - Its powerful jaws can crush the hard shells of other insects in an instant! - They can hover in place like tiny helicopters, then dart away at incredible speed! - Wow, Shadow Darner larvae live underwater for years before becoming adult dragonflies! ## Special abilities - **Aerial Acrobat:** Shadow Darner can chase and catch fast-moving prey mid-flight due to its independent wing control and powerful flight muscles. - **Near 360 Vision:** Shadow Darner has enormous compound eyes that provide a nearly complete panoramic view, helping it detect threats and prey from all directions. - **Stealthy Hunter:** Shadow Darner can fly silently and blend into dim light conditions, allowing it to ambush unsuspecting insects at dawn or dusk. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 80-100 mm - **Size:** 60-70 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 40 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This skilled hunter eats other insects, helping keep pesky bugs away from ponds and wetlands! - **Age differences:** Larvae (nymphs) are also predatory, eating aquatic insects and sometimes tadpoles. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitoes, flies, moths, small beetles - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Yellow Fever Mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — eats larvae and adults - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — consumes adult flies - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — larvae and adults are prey - **Eaten by:** [Barn Swallow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-swallow) (*Hirundo rustica*) — adult dragonflies are prey ## 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 Always watch dragonflies from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Shadow 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 Shadow Darner's wingspan? 80-100 mm ### How big is Shadow Darner? 60-70 mm ### How long does Shadow Darner live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Shadow Darner fly? 40 km/h ### What does Shadow Darner eat? This skilled hunter eats other insects, helping keep pesky bugs away from ponds and wetlands! ### Where is Shadow Darner usually found? Wetlands ### How does Shadow Darner hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Saint Regis Pond](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/saint-regis-pond) — New York, US · Natural Landmark - [Hartford Golf Club Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hartford-golf-club-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Sandwell Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sandwell-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Stan Sayres Memorial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stan-sayres-memorial-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Cowichan River Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cowichan-river-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Shadow Darner](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/shadow-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: [Shadow Darner: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shadow-darner)