Cedar Creek
Ecosystem Science Reserve

Insects of Cedar Creek

Order ODONATA

Family AESHNIDAE

(Darners)

(Table of Species)

     The Darners (34 NA spp) are large clear-winged species having a broad eye seam.  13 species in the genera Anax (1), Aeshna (9), Basiaeshna (1), and Boyeria (2) are reported for Minnesota.  Seven species in the genera Anax and Aeshna have been collected at Cedar Creek.  The other genera are river species.
     The Green Darner, Anax junius, is the first species to appear at Cedar Creek. Migrant adults come with the first warm southerly winds of later April, and soon thereafter coupled (in tandem) pairs can be seen ovipositing on most of the areas ponds and lakes. A new generation emerges in the fall and migrates south. The other members of this family belong to the genus Aeshna (large, elongate, clear-winged, with blue-spotted dark abdomens) which appear as adults from July through September. Six species have been collected. Aeshna eremita (Fish Lake), Aeshna canadensis (Beckman Lake), Aeshna umbrosa (Cedar Creek), and Aeshna interrupta, Aeshna tuberculifera, Aeshna constricta (ponds and marshes). Larvae of these species are elongate cylindrical clingers on submergent reeds or grasses.

webmaster@cedarcreek.umn.edu Last updated May, 2000