# Variable Darner (*Aeshna interrupta*) The Variable Darner is a colorful dragonfly that loves to fly around ponds and wetlands. It has beautiful blue and green colors that make it stand out in nature. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Variable Darner](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Aeshnainterrupta.jpg&width=800) Photo: Kam's World, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aeshnainterrupta.jpg) ## Appearance The Variable Darner has a long, slender body with striking blue or green markings on a dark brown or black background. Its abdomen features broken, zigzag stripes, giving it a 'variable' appearance. Its large compound eyes are typically blue or green, covering most of its head. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Aeshnidae - **Genus:** Aeshna ## Interesting facts - A Variable Darner's wings beat incredibly fast, up to 30 times a second! - Dragonflies existed before dinosaurs, making them incredibly ancient flyers! - Some darners spend years as aquatic nymphs before transforming into flying adults! - They often 'perch and scan' from a sunny spot, waiting for insect snacks to fly by. ## Special abilities - **Amazing Eyesight:** Variable Darner has enormous compound eyes that let it see almost 360 degrees, helping them spot prey and predators instantly. - **Aerial Acrobatics:** Variable Darner can fly forwards, backward, and hover due to four independently moving wings, making it a master hunter in the air. - **Temperature Control:** Variable Darner can warm up by shivering its wing muscles or cool down by perching in shade, which helps them stay active. - **Underwater Egg-Layer:** Variable Darner has a sharp ovipositor that helps females cut slits into aquatic plants to safely lay their eggs underwater. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 70-95 mm - **Size:** 55-70 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 40 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These expert flyers are fierce hunters, snatching other flying insects right out of the air! - **Age differences:** Nymphs eat aquatic insects and small fish; adults hunt flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitos, flies, moths, small butterflies, other small dragonflies - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — Adult darners can be caught mid-flight by these agile birds. - **Eats:** [Northern Pike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-pike) (*Esox lucius*) — Larger fish like pike ambush darner nymphs hiding in the water. - **Hunts:** [Yellow Fever Mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — Darners are important predators, helping control adult mosquito populations. ## 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 Be careful near water where dragonflies live, and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Variable 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 Variable Darner's wingspan? 70-95 mm ### How big is Variable Darner? 55-70 mm ### How long does Variable Darner live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Variable Darner fly? 40 km/h ### What does Variable Darner eat? These expert flyers are fierce hunters, snatching other flying insects right out of the air! ### Where is Variable Darner usually found? Wetlands ### How does Variable Darner hunt? Pursuit ## 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: [Variable Darner: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/variable-darner)