Range & Habitat:

Found in the Ridge & Valley and Highland areas of NW Jersey.

Found along marshy ponds and streams and often among the vegetation of seasonal ponds.

Click on the thumbnails to enlarge additional photos. 

male dorsal

female lateral

female dorsal

Description:

Probably our brightest darner, with broad lateral thoracic stripes of blue or green fading to yellow ventrally.  The anterior stripe is nearly straight with a rearward projection at the top.  Male abdominal spots are usually bright blue.  Females may occur in yellow, green and blue color phases, with yellow pictured below.

Cerci are flattened vertically with a posterior spike, similar to the much duller (but still pretty in its own subtle way) Shadow Darner.

Conservation Status:

Global: G5 - Secure globally, but possibly rare in parts of its range

Flight season:

Early Date: 7/7
Late Date: 11/2

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