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swamp darner

swamp darner (Epiaeschna heros) [male]
Photo © Mary Kay Rubey

Features and Behaviors

FEATURES
The swamp darner is very large, monotypic species. They are like pilot darners (Coryphaeschna) but have different wing venation. The thorax is brown with green stripes and the abdomen is dark brown with two to three, blue and green rings per segment. Males have large blue eyes on a brown face. Females have brown eyes and a thicker abdomen. 

BEHAVIORS
The swamp darner can be found statewide from May to August in woodlands and the swamps and slow streams where they mate. Adults forage in open areas and woodland habitats. Males cruise back and forth over streams and swamps looking for females. Pairs mate away from the water, presumably in the trees. Females deposit eggs in mud or just above the water line. 

Illinois Range

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae

Illinois Status: common, native