NC Odonate Website

Related Species in AESHNIDAE:		Number of records for 2024 = 10
Added in 2024-00-00 from a previous year = 1 (2004-11-21)

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Shadow Darner (Aeshna umbrosa) by John Petranka

Compare with: Black-tipped Darner Springtime Darner Green-striped Darner
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Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and females.

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Map

Click on county for list of all its records for Shadow Darner

Flight Charts

Distribution

Essentially in the mountains and Piedmont, and sparingly in the western third of the Coastal Plain (at least formerly), including the Sandhills region (documented with a 2020 photo).

Abundance

Fairly common in the mountains, rare to uncommon over most of the Piedmont, and very rare in the western Coastal Plain. However, abundance is somewhat difficult to assess, as the species often flies in late afternoon and near dusk, in shaded parts of forests. Also, it flies late in the season, when much odonate field work has subsided. Found in most counties within the range in the state. It is certainly not nearly as numerous or conspicuous as most darners of the spring and early summer seasons; however, it is one of the few darners that is more numerous in the mountains than it is downstate.

Flight

Because this is a late summer/fall species, the mountain flight occurs somewhat earlier than the flights downstate. In the mountains it occurs mainly from early July to mid-November, peaking in September and October, with a few records even to late November. In the Piedmont the flight is later, mainly from late August to mid-November, and possibly into late November. However, there are records in the mountains and Piedmont as early as mid-June. The few flight dates from the Coastal Plain are from late August to late September, and one in mid-November; oddly, there are no October reports from this province, though it is very rare there.

Habitat

The vicinity of ponds, lake shores, marshes, and small streams, generally near wooded areas, but it can occur in open areas. Seldom seen near fields or areas far from water.

Behavior

Rather secretive, often staying in shady places. Can fly over small open areas, darting back and forth, but usually only in late afternoon.

Comments

Of the "common" dragonflies in the state (collected/reported in over 60% of the counties), this is not a well known species to many observers, as it is rather scarce or hard to find in the Piedmont. Unlike other darners, it seldom flies around open areas, fields, or ponds during the morning or early afternoon hours; it keeps more to shaded areas and later times of the day for flying.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

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Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-09 11:23:30

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Shadow Darner 35 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Macon, 2024-10-03,		Photo 2 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Macon, 2024-10-03,
	Photo 3 by: Guy McGrane Comment: Watauga, 2024-09-06, Boone Greenway - Far end halfway up hill		Photo 4 by: Emma Kaminsky Comment: Wake, 2022-10-04, Prairie Ridge Ecostation. iNaturalist record #137577017 - Female
	Photo 5 by: L. Arent Comment: Watauga, 2022-09-09, Brookshire Park - Patrolling a small wetland at the north end of the greenway.		Photo 6 by: iNaturalist username golddragon56 Comment: Yancey, 2022-08-15, Green Mountain, Green Acres Ln. - Female
	Photo 7 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Surry, 2021-11-16, Tumbling Rock Reservoir. Thoracic stripes green, abdominal spots blue, photo from smart phone so poor quality		Photo 8 by: Mark Shields Comment: Ashe, 2021-08-08, Pond Mountain Game Land
	Photo 9 by: Maureen O'Halloran Comment: Moore; C, 2020-11-14, Perched, on Beautyberry; photo on Facebook Carolina Odonates group		Photo 10 by: Lori Arent Comment: Wilkes; P, 2020-10-12, on neighbor's back porch in the Maple Springs area
	Photo 11 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2019-09-19, Broadwing Farm - Female		Photo 12 by: John Petranka Comment: Watauga, 2019-09-17, Clawson-Burnley Park, Boone. At the retention ponds. - Males.
	Photo 13 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Stokes, 2019-08-20, Hanging Rock State Park, Vade Mecum area		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields Comment: Watauga, 2019-08-08, Elk Knob State Park (ELKN); small marshy pond
	Photo 15 by: John Petranka Comment: Burke; M, 2017-09-21, In a small partially shaded pond that was lined with American Bur-reed and other emergent vegetation; on private property just south of Jonas Ridge. - Males.		Photo 16 by: Jim Petranka, Becky Elkin, and Bill Booth Comment: Burke; M, 2017-09-19, In large farm pond at Jonas Ridge. - Heteromorph female.
	Photo 17 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Watauga, 2016-10-25, Trout Lake, Julian Price Park, Blue Ridge Parkway. Marshy area around stream inlet near dam. 4 males, 1 female including I mating pair. Photos.		Photo 18 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Alleghany, 2015-07-14, Stone Mountain State Park (STMO). Seep and boggy area near campground Loop B. - Male. Patrolling and hovering in shaded boggy area. Low light flight photo taken.
	Photo 19 by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin Comment: Madison, 2014-10-18, new county record - flying above small woodland pond in partially shaded area		Photo 20 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2012-09-20, Beaver Lake, Asheville - Male & Female
	Photo 21 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2012-09-20, Beaver Lake, Asheville - Male & Female		Photo 22 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2011-09-12, Fletcher Park - Male
	Photo 23 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2011-09-12, Fletcher Park - Male		Photo 24 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2011-08-16, Fletcher Park Pond
	Photo 25 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2011-08-16, Fletcher Park Pond		Photo 26 by: Chelsea Rath Comment: Avery, 2011-07-28, Blue Ridge Parkway
	Photo 27 by: Doug Johnston Comment: Buncombe, 2011-07-23, northern Buncombe County, Leicester patch		Photo 28 by: Doug Johnston Comment: Buncombe, 2010-09-16, Small pond, Leicester patch, northern Buncombe County - Finally found this dragonfly still enough to photo
	Photo 29 by: Jason P. Love Comment: Macon, 2009-11-28, Found flying along Middle Creek Road near xeric pine-oak community - Netted and photographed		Photo 30 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Graham, 2007-10-27