Identification

Field Marks

• Average adult size is approximately 2.6 inches
• Eyes brown with a green or blue tinge
• Face tan with no front facial markings
• Thorax brown with two bold yellow oval shaped spots surrounded by darker brown patches
• Wings become amber tinged as they mature with dark brown patches at the base of the wings
• Abdomen brown wih faint yellow spots or no spots at all
• Long dark cerci, pale epiproct with dark tip
• Females look the same except with brown eyes, a stockier abdomen and thin pointed cerci that are longer than segment 10

Field Marks

• Female is colored similarly to the male
• Eyes brown and tan
• Abdomen stockier than that of the males
• Amber tinged wings with amber stigma and dark patches at the base
• Thin dark terminal appendages that are longer than segment 10

Similar Species

• Ocellated Darner
• The Fawn Darner is more of a tannish brown hue while the Ocellated Darner is more of a grey brown
• The spots on the thorax of the Fawn Darner are thicker and more rounded where the dots on the Ocellated Darner are thinner and more of an oval shape
• The Fawn Darner has small black patches at the base of the wings where the Ocellated Darner has little to no black at the base of the wings
• The Fawn Darner has only spots on top of the abdomen while the Ocellated Darner has yellow triangles in between pairs of yellow top spots on top of the abdomen
• The Fawn Darner has a pale epiproct while the Ocellated Darner has a dark epiproct

Behavior

Male can often be found patrolling streams typically flying just above the water, weaving in and out along the bank. More active in late afternoon and evening often flying after it is too dark to see. During the day they often perch vertically in a secluded, shady spot

Habitat

Streams and small rivers usually with some current

Reproduction

Mating typically occurs in the trees and can occur after dark. Female usually lays eggs in wet wood that is either floating on the surface of the water or partially submerged