NC Odonate Website

Related Species in AESHNIDAE:

Number of records for 2025 = 3

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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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Map

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 southern mountains, though likely occurs in all counties there.

Abundance

Widespread, but only uncommon to occasionally 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.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-09 12:48:29

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Springtime Darner 37 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2025-03-28, Turnbull Creek at Braxton Edge Road, Ammon - Flying back and forth over creek		Photo 2 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2023-12-18, Hot Springs area, French Broad
	Photo 3 by: Mark Shields Comment: Caldwell, 2023-05-10, Wilson Creek, about 1.5 km downstream from Mortimer		Photo 4 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Catawba, 2022-04-16, Wilderness Gateway State Trail - Jacob Fork East
	Photo 5 by: Dick Thomas Comment: Guilford, 2022-04-06, Piedmont Environmental Center, High Point - male patrolling over retention pond		Photo 6 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2022-04-02, NHCBS, Hollow Rock Nature Park, Pickett Road Edges
	Photo 7 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2021-04-20, Hot Springs area		Photo 8 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Moore; C, 2021-03-28, Sandhills CC Horticultural Gardens
	Photo 9 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Durham, 2020-04-05, Walking roads at Flat River Waterfowl Impoundment. - Male.		Photo 10 by: John Petranka Comment: Burke; M, 2019-05-21, Linville River at Linville Falls Campground, Blue Ridge Parkway. - Male.
	Photo 11 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 12 by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin Comment: Buncombe, 2019-05-16, at Alexander River Park.
	Photo 13 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 14 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 15 by: Mark Shields Comment: Brunswick, 2019-03-30, Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve, Winnabow		Photo 16 by: John Petranka Comment: Orange, 2018-05-07, My backyard, Falls of New Hope neighborhood, Falls Drive. - Male.
	Photo 17 by: John Petranka Comment: Scotland, 2018-04-13, Lumber River State Park (LURI), Chalk Banks Access. - Male photographed.		Photo 18 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips, and Cathy Songer Comment: Robeson, 2018-04-06, Lumber River State Park (LURI) Princess Ann Access
	Photo 19 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jones, 2018-04-03, Weetock Trail near Haywood Landing, Croatan National Forest		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2018-04-01, New River, from Henry McAllister Landing to 3 km upstream by kayak
	Photo 21 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 22 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jones, 2017-04-11, Island Creek trail, Croatan National Forest - 1 patrolling male, 1 ovipositing female
	Photo 23 by: Tim Deering Comment: Buncombe, 2017-04-09, Dark Hollow Creek		Photo 24 by: John Petranka Comment: Montgomery, 2016-04-05, Uwharrie NF along FS Rd. 555 just downstream from confluence of Moccasin Creek with Uwharrie River. Males. Photo.
	Photo 25 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Mecklenburg, 2016-03-30, Latta Plantation Nature Preserve - near stream on Piedmont Prairie Trail		Photo 26 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 27 by: Mike Turner Comment: Wake, 2013-04-27, Lake Raleigh		Photo 28 by: Doug Johnston Comment: Pender, 2013-04-23, Cape Fear River, Holly Shelter Game Land
	Photo 29 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Gail Lankford Comment: Madison, 2012-04-12, along the French Broad River - Male & Female		Photo 30 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston Comment: Buncombe, 2012-04-05, Sandy Mush Game Land, northern Buncombe County - Female