Thorax stripes usually yellow-green below and blue above (but on some females are all yellow); shape shown in figure. The face is pale green with a thin, pale brown line, or no line at all. Females have blue, green or yellow abdominal spots; segment 9 is longer than segment 8; the ovipositor and appendages are unusually large, the former extending well past the end of segment 9. Male’s upper appendages flattened. Length: ♂ 71 mm, ♀ 69 mm.
Flight Period
B.C., early July to mid October.
Genus Description
Mosaic Darners are common in B.C. and the Yukon; they fly everywhere dragonflies are found. All 11 B.C. species are large and can usually be distinguished by their variations on a basic colour pattern. Generally, the body is brown, and each side of the thorax has a pair of blue, green or yellow stripes – their shape is important in identification. Look also for the colour of the face and the line across its middle. Viewed from above, the forehead bears a distinctive T-shaped mark, called the “T-spot”. The abdominal spots on males are usually blue, and on females green, yellow or blue. Male upper appendages come in three types.
Biology
Family Description
Large, swift-flying dragonflies, usually marked with blue, green or yellow. Adults hunt tirelessly for insects over ponds, lakes and streams, and wander widely in search of prey. Most species rest in a vertical position, but a few sit flat on the ground. Females have a prominent ovipositor and lay eggs in water plants or floating wood above or below the water line. Larvae are slender and sleek, with flat labia lacking bristles; they are rapacious hunters among water plants. Recently, A. californica and A. multicolor have been transferred from Aeshna to Rhionaeschna.
Field Notes
Rare at small ponds and open, warm, nutrient-rich marshes dominated by cattails and bulrushes; sometimes develops in waters that dry up in summer. Its preference for habitats that are often threatened by human development make it vulnerable. Female Lance-tipped Darners, like their Black-tipped counterparts, lay eggs in vegetation well above the waterline.
Distribution
Transition. In the valleys of the southern interior, north to about 51°N.
Recommended citation: Author, Date. Page title. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) 2021. E-Fauna BC:
Electronic Atlas of the Fauna of British Columbia [efauna.bc.ca]. Lab
for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British
Columbia, Vancouver. [Accessed:
2024-09-18 10:11:10 AM]
Disclaimer:
The information contained in an
E-Fauna BC atlas pages is derived from expert sources as cited (with permission) in each section.
This information is scientifically based. E-Fauna BC also acts as a
portal to other sites via deep links. As always, users should refer to
the original sources for complete information. E-Fauna BC is not
responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the original information.
