Rhionaeschna mutata
Type: invertebrate
Status: special concern
Species Guide
Spatterdock darner
Rhionaeschna mutata
Species Type: invertebrate
Conservation Status: special concern
IDENTIFICATION
Ranging in size from 2.5” -2.7” in length, this darner has a blue unmarked face with brilliant blue eyes. The thorax is brown with blue frontal and lateral stripes. The abdomen is predominately black marked with blue. The female is similar in appearance but don’t have as bright coloring.
Distribution & Habitat
The spatterdock darner prefers ponds and lakes that are fishless and contain abundant growth of spatterdock, also known as yellow pond lily. This species’ full range is from Vermont to Kentucky and west to Wisconsin. Only a few colonies have been reported in New Jersey in Essex, Morris, Somerset and Sussex Counties. Protection is in place for one of the larger colonies.
Diet
Adults feed on aerial insects that they capture in flight.
Life Cycle
Emergence takes place around the last week in May into June. A few late records have been reported in the first week of July.
Current Threats, Status, and Conservation
The spatterdock darner is uncommon in New Jersey and is considered a species of Special Concern in the state.
References
Text derived from the book, Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Jersey. 2009. By Allen E. Barlow and Jim Bangma.
Edited and updated by Larissa Smith in 2011.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Odonata
- Family: Aeshnidae
- Genus: Rhionaeschna
- Species: R. mutata