Common Green Darner
Large size, bright green thorax, and a dark bull’s-eye on the forehead help identify a darner capable of continental movement.
Artwork inspired by Morris Graves
Common green darners are among North America’s most conspicuous migratory dragonflies. Some arrive north in spring, reproduce, and die; their offspring mature and fly south, while another generation develops in warmer regions. Other individuals remain resident, so the species mixes migration strategies rather than following one simple loop.
Adults patrol open air for flying insects, and aquatic nymphs are formidable wetland predators. Watch from a pond margin for steady back-and-forth routes, paired “wheel” mating, or tandem egg-laying. A net is rarely needed; photographs of the face, thorax, and abdominal pattern preserve better evidence with less damage.
- Thorax
- Bright apple green
- Face mark
- Dark bull’s-eye on forehead
- Washington link
- Official state insect
Quick guide
- Watch a patrol lane
- Large darners often repeat a route over open water.
- Check the face
- The forehead mark helps separate similar green species.
Recognize and observe
- Watch a patrol lane
- Large darners often repeat a route over open water.
- Check the face
- The forehead mark helps separate similar green species.
- Notice the abdomen
- Males appear blue, females more variable brown to purple.
- Photograph, then release
- Avoid prolonged handling of wings and legs.
Good to know
A dragonfly nymph may spend far longer underwater than the adult spends in the air. Healthy ponds support both halves of the life cycle.
Notice these
- Bright apple green
- Dark bull’s-eye on forehead
- Official state insect