North Carolina's 189 Odonate species

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Related Species in AESHNIDAE: Number of records for 2024 = 1
Added in 2024 from a previous year = 1

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Common Green Darner (Anax junius) by Mark Shields
Compare with: Comet Darner  
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.

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Map
Click on county for list of all its records for Common Green Darner
Flight Charts
Distribution Statewide. Occurs in all 100 counties.
Abundance Common statewide, with abundance levels somewhat equal across all three provinces. One of the more common dragonfly species in the mountains, with well over 350 records with flight data from that region of the state. Two new high counts were made in 2019, including an estimated 1000 in Surry County in September. The species is partially migratory, and these very high counts (200 or more individuals) relate to swarms seen moving southward in fall migration.
Flight Generally from mid-March to mid-November, and straggling at least in the Coastal Plain to the end of the year. It has the longest flight period of any dragonfly in the state, as it is the dragonfly species most likely to be seen in early winter -- being absent only for about two months in mid- and late winter.
Habitat Wide-ranging; found around lakes, ponds, marshes, and other mostly still waters. Forages over fields, ponds, lakes, and other open habitats, as well as along roads through woods.
Behavior Typically seen flying at eye-level or higher, over a wide range of open habitats.
Comments The species is seldom seen in truly large numbers or swarms, except in the fall season. It can often be the first species of dragonfly one sees in spring, or the last in late fall. The species is usually easily identified in flight, even at a distance of 100 feet or more, through binoculars.
State Rank S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-09 11:33:10

Photo Gallery for Common Green Darner   37 photos are available.
Only the most recent 30 are shown.
Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: John Petranka

Comment: Orange, 2022-05-10, NHCBS, Hollow Rock Nature Park, West of Pickett Road, Meadow
Photo 2 by: Guy McGrane

Comment: Watauga, 2021-04-17; appeared torpid
Photo 3 by: Dick Thomas

Comment: Guilford, 2021-04-16, Piedmont Environmental Center, High Point - male patrolling dam of retention pond
Photo 4 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-08-01, Pond at Wolf Laurel exit, I-26
Photo 5 by: Sean Krieg

Comment: Haywood, 2020-06-16, GSMNP, Cataloochee Valley, iNaturalist record# 49999246
Photo 6 by: Kevin Metcalf

Comment: Mecklenburg, 2020-04-21, - Latta Nature Preserve
Photo 7 by: Owen McConnell and Phil and Ann Weinrich

Comment: Graham, 2019-10-01, Migrants were seen late in the afternoon for only two days - On 2019-09-30 and 2019-10-01 about 200 migrating Common Green Darners in groups of about 20 were seen along West Buffalo Rd. from the Cedar Cliff Baptist Church to Huffman Creek Rd. I netted this one as it flew over the Huffman Creek Rd. bridge over West Buffalo Creek
Photo 8 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Onslow, 2019-09-30, my property, Holly Ridge - Female attracted to LED and UV lights, 9:30 pm
Photo 9 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Onslow, 2019-09-06, my property, Holly Ridge - at least 7 pairs ovipositing in pools and ditches filled by rain from Hurricane Dorian
Photo 10 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

Comment: Mitchell, 2019-05-16, Living Waters Campground, Glen Ayre.
Photo 11 by: John Petranka

Comment: Caswell, 2019-04-30, Caswell Game Land. Game land road paralleling Country Line Creek near end of Gatewood Road. - Photographed Female.
Photo 12 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips

Comment: Bladen, 2019-04-16, Suggs Mill Pond Game Land - female with wing caught in a bramble, freed and released
Photo 13 by: Paul Hart

Comment: Alamance, 2018-09-08, 1.9 miles north of Snow Camp
Photo 14 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-25, Pond beside Breedlove Road, 5 km northeast of Cashiers
Photo 15 by: Mark Shields and Hunter Phillips

Comment: Scotland, 2018-04-05, Lumber River State Park (LURI) - Chalk Banks section
Photo 16 by: J. Summers

Comment: Chatham, 2018-03-15, Jordan Lake
Photo 17 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Duplin, 2017-09-22, Pond and ditch beside Quiet Water Drive, Chinquapin - tandem pair
Photo 18 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Beaufort, 2016-07-08, Boardwalk along Pamlico River, Washington
Photo 19 by: Mark Shields

Comment: New Hanover, 2015-09-13, Ft. Fisher State Recreation Area (FOFI), Basin Trail - numerous; many pairs mating, flying in tandem
Photo 20 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Pender, 2015-09-01, Holly Shelter Game Land
Photo 21 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Onslow, 2015-06-28, Small, wooded pond in Holly Ridge - Two mating and ovipositing pairs observed, along with one unmated male.
Photo 22 by: Owen McConnell

Comment: Graham, 2014-09-10, at a pond at Tuskeegee
Photo 23 by: Doug Johnston

Comment: New Hanover, 2013-04-25, Carolina Beach State Park
Photo 24 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Wake, 2012-09-12, Prairie Ridge Ecostation - about half were adult males
Photo 25 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Buncombe, 2012-05-14, Richmond Hill Park, Asheville
Photo 26 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Buncombe, 2011-10-05, Beaver Lake, Asheville - Male & Female
Photo 27 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Henderson, 2011-08-14, Hooper Lane, Mills River area
Photo 28 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Henderson, 2011-08-14, Hooper Lane, Mills River area
Photo 29 by: Vin Stanton

Comment: Buncombe, 2011-06-10, imaged at Beaver Lake, Asheville - Male
Photo 30 by: Ali Iyoob, Matt Daw, Dan Irizarry

Comment: Wake, 2011-05-04