Variable darner (Aeshna interrupta)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Aeshna (?) interrupta ("broken")

Adult male Variable Darner (Aeshna interrupta) at Watson Lake, Yukon, Canada - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Aeshna interrupta lineata
Weight: ?  /  Length: 7cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A large and widespread species of dragonfly associated with grassland ponds and bogs. They have a wide distribution over the Northern United States and Canada with a flight time of June to October. They are fearsome predators at all life stages and will take anything smaller than them including vertberates like small fish and tadpoles in their nymph stage.  

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
SUBSPECIES: A. i. interna, A. i. interrupta, A. i. lineata

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA - Widespread
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Yukon

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Lake Darner (Aeshna eremita)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Aeshna (possibly from "spear") eremita ("hermit")

Adult Lake Darner (Aeshna eremita) )at Anchorage, Alaska - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: ?  /  Length: 7.5cm  /  Wingspan: 15cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The largest "darner" dragonfly of North America, found in the Northern of the Lower 48 through to Canada and Alaska. This species prefers a slightly more wooded habitat that many dragonfly species which matches where I saw it in a forested clearing in Anchorage. It is closely related to the Canada Darner but it's range extends much further North.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Present in Alaska, Canada and Northern States of Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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