Spatterdock darner

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Rhionaeschna mutata

Type: invertebrate

Status:

Species Guide

Spatterdock darner

Rhionaeschna mutata

Species Type: invertebrate

Conservation Status:

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

DISTRIBUTION AND 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

DIET

Adults feed on aerial insects that they capture in flight.

Life Cycle

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.

Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Order: Odonata
  • Family: Aeshnidae
  • Genus: Rhionaeschna
  • Species: R. mutata