NC Odonate Website

Related Species in AESHNIDAE:

Number of records for 2024 = 10

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
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Comet Darner (Anax longipes) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Common Green Darner
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.

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Map

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

Flight Charts

Distribution

Statewide, though more widespread in the southern half of the Coastal Plain and southeastern part of the Piedmont. Of spotty occurrence in most of the Piedmont and mountains, and the northern half of the Coastal Plain, though likely occurs in all 100 counties. In recent years, there have been many more records for the mountains, and thus relatively few counties in this province lack records now.

Abundance

Widespread but mostly uncommon (though not hard to see just one) across the southern half of the Coastal Plain and most of the Piedmont and mountains. Rare to uncommon in the northern Coastal Plain, where few recent records -- scarcity of observers there? Even though it is not a rare species, we are aware of only a single daily count of more than six individuals; one observer counted 11 of them in 2020. In general, most numerous in the southern Coastal Plain, including the Sandhills.

Flight

In the Coastal Plain, generally from mid-April to late November. Flies at least from early May to early October in the Piedmont and to late September in the mountains.

Habitat

Mainly small to medium ponds, including natural ones such as limesink ponds and Carolina bays.

See also Habitat Account for General Pond Shorelines

Behavior

Most often seen (a male) patrolling back and forth over a pond, typically about 3-6 feet above the water. At times seen over dry land, but best looked for over a pond/small lake. A male is quite territorial, and thus it is not hard to see a single male patrolling over a pond, but unlike with most other pond dragonflies, you might not see any other males at the pond!

Comments

Males, with their bright red abdomen contrasting with the green head and thorax, are among our most beautiful and easily identified dragonflies. Its large size also adds to its striking appearance. Females and immatures can easily be confused with Common Green Darner, and probably cannot be safely identified while in flight. In fact, a green-bodied dragonfly with a rusty-brown abdomen seen flying over a field is more likely a female/immature Common Green Darner than a Comet Darner.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-09 11:40:17

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Comet Darner 27 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Macon, 2023-05-13, Highlands--Ravenel Lake		Photo 2 by: Jessica Lowery Comment: Dare; OBU, 2022-06-10, Nags Head Woods Preserve, iNaturalist Record #121131133 - Male
	Photo 3 by: L. Arent Comment: Wake, 2022-05-26, N.C. Museum of Art pond		Photo 4 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2019-07-27, my property, Holly Ridge - Attracted to LED and UV lights, 11:41 pm
	Photo 5 by: Conrad Wernett, Alyssa Wernett Comment: Onslow, 2018-08-18, Retention pond behind Circle-K, US Hwy 17N, Jacksonville - Three males patrolling pond, one netted for photo		Photo 6 by: John Petranka and party. Comment: Davidson, 2018-07-14, Lexington. Pond at Finch Park and along Abbotts Creek where noted. - Male.
	Photo 7 by: Robert Gilson Comment: Mecklenburg, 2018-07-12, Reedy Creek Nature Preserve - Albert Stevens collected		Photo 8 by: Mark Shields Comment: Transylvania, 2018-06-27, Gorges State Park (GORG) - male patrolling over Raymond Fisher Pond
	Photo 9 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-25, Pond beside Breedlove Road, 5 km northeast of Cashiers - First record for county.		Photo 10 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2018-06-09, Brumley Preserve North of NC 10, Silo Pond - Male
	Photo 11 by: Mark Shields Comment: New Hanover, 2017-11-18, Carolina Beach State Park (CABE), limesink ponds		Photo 12 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2017-07-18, Azalea Park, Asheville
	Photo 13 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2017-05-29, Stones Creek Game Land		Photo 14 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Wayne, 2017-05-29, Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, along dike of swimming lake
	Photo 15 by: Mike Turner Comment: Scotland, 2017-05-07, Sandhill Game Land; Scotland Lake - adult males		Photo 16 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Richmond; C, 2016-08-06, Woods Pond Number Two, just south of the fish ponds at Mckinney Lake Fish Hatchery. Male. Photo.
	Photo 17 by: Conrad Wernett, Alyssa Wernett Comment: Wayne, 2016-07-17, - Males patrolling, females ovipositing around bodies of water at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park		Photo 18 by: Mark Shields Comment: Carteret, 2016-06-17, indivduals not counted; ponds along Patsy Pond Nature Trail, Croatan National Forest
	Photo 19 by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka Comment: Madison, 2016-06-07, Shelton Laurel Creek, along NC Hwy. 208 just north of confluence with Big Laurel Creek. Males.		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields Comment: New Hanover, 2015-11-28, Carolina Beach State Park
	Photo 21 by: Curtis Smalling Comment: Wilkes; M, 2015-06-16, Wildlife Resources Commission fishing put-in on Triplett Rd. - foraging over creek		Photo 22 by: John Petranka Comment: Durham, 2015-05-27, West Point on the Eno Park - Female. Ovipositing (unexpectedly?) in riffles of Eno River downstream from dam.
	Photo 23 by: John Petranka Comment: Chatham, 2014-07-26, Jordan Lake Educational State Forest. Pond near parking area. - Males. Slightly out of focus but easily diagnostic flight photos taken.		Photo 24 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Onslow, 2014-06-29, - Patrolling males at retention pond
	Photo 25 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2012-06-14, Fletcher Park, Fletcher (eating a Slaty Skimmer)		Photo 26 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2012-06-14, Fletcher Park, Fletcher
	Photo 27 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2010-06-05, Imaged at Fletcher Park