NC Odonate Website

Related Species in AESHNIDAE:

Number of records added in 2021 = 0

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Springtime Darner (Basiaeschna janata) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Black-tipped Darner Shadow Darner Green-striped 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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Click on county for list of all its records for Springtime Darner

flight charts

distribution

Nearly statewide. Might be absent in a few of the extreme eastern counties (not recorded from Currituck southward to Carteret counties). Of spotty occurrence in the mountains, though likely occurs in all counties there.

abundance

Fairly common in most of the Piedmont and upper half of the Coastal Plain. Uncommon in the eastern Coastal Plain and mountains, and rare to locally absent near the northeastern and eastern coastal areas.

flight

Primarily mid-late March to late May in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain; several "fluke" records in mid- to late June in the Piedmont. Mainly late March to early June in the mountains. Peak numbers are in mid-April.

habitat

Breeds at streams, less often at ponds or lakes. More often seen along woodland borders or wide roads.

behavior

Flies low along dirt roads and clearings in upland or mesic woods, perching frequently in an oblique manner on twigs. Relatively easy to identify, as it is not particularly wary when perched.

comments

The turquoise blue spots on the abdomen are quite stunning, especially in males. The species can often be identified in flight through binoculars, if the blue spots can be seen.

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date_spread

[Overwinter:] [Date Spread:] [No Late Date:] [Split on Feb:] [Default:]

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Species account update: LeGrand1234

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Springtime Darner 25 photos are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: John Petranka Comment: Avery, 2019-05-20, Linville River at Linville Falls Picnic Area third loop, Blue Ridge Parkway mile marker 316.5 - Female. Ovipositing.		Photo 2 by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin Comment: Buncombe, 2019-05-16, At Alexander River Park.
	Photo 3 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Mitchell, 2019-05-16, Living Waters Campground, Glen Ayre. - males patrolling edges of ponds. One netted, photographed, and released. First record for county.		Photo 4 by: John Petranka, Mark Shields Comment: Orange, 2019-04-18, Eno River State Park (ENRI) Cole Mill Section. Along powerline corridor SW of Old Cole Mill Rd. - 2 males and 1 female, including mating pair.
	Photo 5 by: Mark Shields Comment: Brunswick, 2019-03-30, Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve, Winnabow		Photo 6 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2018-05-07, My backyard, Falls of New Hope neighborhood, Falls Drive. - Male.
	Photo 7 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips, and Cathy Songer Comment: Robeson, 2018-04-06, Lumber River State Park (LURI) Princess Ann Access		Photo 8 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jones, 2018-04-03, Weetock Trail near Haywood Landing, Croatan National Forest
	Photo 9 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2018-04-01, New River, from Henry McAllister Landing to 3 km upstream by kayak		Photo 10 by: Curtis Smalling Comment: Watauga, 2017-04-26, Meat Camp Creek ESA - would not stop patrolling but did get some blurry in flight pics
	Photo 11 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jones, 2017-04-11, Island Creek trail, Croatan National Forest - 1 patrolling male, 1 ovipositing female		Photo 12 by: Tim Deering Comment: Buncombe, 2017-04-09, Dark Hollow Creek
	Photo 13 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Mecklenburg, 2016-03-30, Latta Plantation Nature Preserve - near stream on Piedmont Prairie Trail		Photo 14 by: George Andrews Comment: Union, 2014-04-21, Cane Creek Park lake - clear sky, temp 70 F, variable winds to 15 knots. - Patrolling feeder creeks.
	Photo 15 by: Mike Turner Comment: Wake, 2013-04-27, Lake Raleigh		Photo 16 by: Doug Johnston Comment: Pender, 2013-04-23, Cape fear river, Holly shelter game land
	Photo 17 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Gail Lankford Comment: Madison, 2012-04-12, Along French Broad River - Male & Female		Photo 18 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston Comment: Buncombe, 2012-04-05, Sandy Mush gamelands northern Buncombe County - Female
	Photo 19 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Gail Lankford Comment: Buncombe, 2012-03-27, Cedar Hill Gamelands Northern Buncombe County, Temp upper 60s, Sunny, light northerly wind, - Male & Female, seen along dirt road		Photo 20 by: Ali Iyoob, Matt Daw, Dan Irizarry Comment: Madison, 2011-05-06, French Broad River
	Photo 21 by: Doug Johnston Comment: Buncombe, 2011-04-17, - North Buncombe, Leicester patch		Photo 22 by: Salman Abdulali Comment: Pitt, 2011-04-17, Boyd Lee Park
	Photo 23 by: ASH Comment: Rockingham, 2008-03-26, HARI -		Photo 24 by: Ted Wilcox Comment: 05/06/07 ? Wilkes County (M), female
	Photo 25 by: FKW, SBW Comment: Gates, 2005-04-10, MEMI - Chowanoc