The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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North Carolina's 189 Odonate species
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Related Species in AESHNIDAE: Number of records for 2022 = 14

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
[View PDF]		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 mountains, though likely occurs in all counties there.
Abundance Widespread, but only uncommon to 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 S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2021-02-02 10:43:13
Photo Gallery for Springtime Darner   29 photos are shown. Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: B. Bockhahn

Comment: Catawba, 2022-04-16, Wilderness Gateway State Trail - Jacob Fork East		Photo 2 by: John Petranka

Comment: Orange, 2022-04-02, NHCBS, Hollow Rock Nature Park, Pickett Road Edges
Photo 3 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2021-04-20, Hot Springs area		Photo 4 by: Matt Spangler

Comment: Moore; C, 2021-03-28, Sandhills CC Horticultural Gardens
Photo 5 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 6 by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin

Comment: Buncombe, 2019-05-16, at Alexander River Park.
Photo 7 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 8 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 9 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Brunswick, 2019-03-30, Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve, Winnabow		Photo 10 by: John Petranka

Comment: Orange, 2018-05-07, My backyard, Falls of New Hope neighborhood, Falls Drive. - Male.
Photo 11 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips, and Cathy Songer

Comment: Robeson, 2018-04-06, Lumber River State Park (LURI) Princess Ann Access		Photo 12 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Jones, 2018-04-03, Weetock Trail near Haywood Landing, Croatan National Forest
Photo 13 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Onslow, 2018-04-01, New River, from Henry McAllister Landing to 3 km upstream by kayak		Photo 14 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 15 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Jones, 2017-04-11, Island Creek trail, Croatan National Forest - 1 patrolling male, 1 ovipositing female		Photo 16 by: Tim Deering

Comment: Buncombe, 2017-04-09, Dark Hollow Creek
Photo 17 by: Kevin Metcalf

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2016-03-30, Latta Plantation Nature Preserve - near stream on Piedmont Prairie Trail		Photo 18 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 19 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Wake, 2013-04-27, Lake Raleigh		Photo 20 by: Doug Johnston

Comment: Pender, 2013-04-23, Cape Fear River, Holly Shelter Game Land
Photo 21 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Gail Lankford

Comment: Madison, 2012-04-12, along the French Broad River - Male & Female		Photo 22 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston

Comment: Buncombe, 2012-04-05, Sandy Mush Game Land, northern Buncombe County - Female
Photo 23 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Gail Lankford

Comment: Buncombe, 2012-03-27, Cedar Hill, Sandy Mush Game Land, northern Buncombe County, Temp upper 60s, Sunny, light northerly wind, - Male & Female, seen along dirt road		Photo 24 by: Ali Iyoob, Matt Daw, Dan Irizarry

Comment: Madison, 2011-05-06, French Broad River
Photo 25 by: Doug Johnston

Comment: Buncombe, 2011-04-17, northern Buncombe, Leicester patch		Photo 26 by: Salman Abdulali

Comment: Pitt, 2011-04-17, Boyd Lee Park
Photo 27 by: Scott Hartley

Comment: Rockingham, 2008-03-26, Haw River State Park 		Photo 28 by: Ted Wilcox

Comment: Wilkes, 2007-05-06 - female
Photo 29 by: Floyd Williams, Signa Williams

Comment: Gates, 2005-04-10, MEMI - Chowanoc