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Scientific Name
Anax junius
Family
Aeshnidae (darners) in the order Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies)
Description
The common green darner is abundant and well-known for its bright green, blue, and purple colors. There is a distinctive bullseye-like marking on the head just in front of the big compound eyes. A large dragonfly up to 3 inches long, it is a migratory species that travels south in autumn.
Learn more about the common green darner and other dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera) in their group entry.
Other Common Names
Canada Darner
Human Connections
Old-time Ozarkers used to call green darners and other large dragonflies "katynippers" and "snake feeders." These large dragonflies can indeed deliver a pinching bite when handled, but they cannot harm people.
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Media Gallery
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The common green darner (Anax junius) is abundant and well-known for its bright green, blue, and purple colors. A large dragonfly up to 3 inches long, it is a migratory species that travels south in autumn.
Credit
Jim Rathert
Right to Use
Photo by Jim Rathert, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
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The common green darner is the only darner species that lay eggs in tandem, with male and female joined together.
Credit
Donna Brunet
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Use of this image is restricted to MDC only on this page
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Caption
Adult green darners are large, strong fliers, so you might find them flying just about anywhere. They are most common near ponds and wetlands, where they lived as larvae and where they mate.
Credit
Jim Rathert
Right to Use
Photo by Jim Rathert, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
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Similar Species
About Land Invertebrates in Missouri
Invertebrates are animals without backbones, including earthworms, slugs, snails, and arthropods. Arthropods—invertebrates with “jointed legs” — are a group of invertebrates that includes crayfish, shrimp, millipedes, centipedes, mites, spiders, and insects. There may be as many as 10 million species of insects alive on earth today, and they probably constitute more than 90 percent all animal species.
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