Minnesota Dragonfly

Blue-eyed Darner

Rhionaeschna multicolor

The Blue-eyed Darner is an average sized darner with a sky blue face and eyes. The typical range of this species is west of Minnesota. However since around 2010 sightings of this species have become much more common in the southern half of the Minnesota and Southwestern Wisconsin.

Identification

Field Marks
  • Average adult size is approximately from 2.6 to 2.9 inches
  • Sky blue face with bright blue eyes
  • No cross line or other markings on face
  • 'T' spot widens at the base
  • Brown thorax with 2 straight blue thoracic stripes
  • Legs brown at the base changing to black
  • Brown abdomen with white and blue triangular spots
  • Segment 10 mostly black with faint white spots
  • Claspers forked at the end of the cerci

Click on photos above for a close-up view.

Natural History

Behavior

Strong flyer that seems to hover less than other species of darners. Males can often be found patrolling over open waters or along the shoreline. Males and females can often be found in open areas away from water such as yards, parks or parking lots. Sometimes join mixed feeding swarms

Habitat

Open lakes, ponds, and slow moving streams usually with moderate vegetation

Reproduction

Mating typically occurs in the trees with pairs often flying in wheel for an extended period looking for an appropriate perch. Females lay eggs in emergent vegetation, leaves and floating logs both above and below the waterline

Range Maps

Click on the icons above for this species' range maps

Click here for county and state checklists from Odonata Central.

Range maps and checklists courtesy of Odonata Central. Copyright © 2016 OdonataCentral. All Rights Reserved. Abbott, J.C. 2006-2018. OdonataCentral: An online resource for the distribution and identification of Odonata. Available at www.odonatacentral.org.