Common Green Darners, (Anax junius), are found throughout Florida. These large dragonflies are easily recognizable with their bright green coloring and iridescent wings. Juveniles with purple abdomens grow into females who have green abdomens or males with blue abdomens. Males have an eyespot on their head that gives the appearance of a cyclops.
Look for Common Green Darners near water sources in the wild or in your yard. They are somewhat migratory and breed in the Southern US, including Florida, in fall and early winter. Females deposit one egg at a time into the stem of an underwater plant. Juveniles, known as Naiads, are born. They look like tiny lobsters and spend their days underwater where they dine on tadpoles and insects before moving to dry land and growing into an adult.
Common Green Darners prey on bees, wasps, butterflies, and midges. Perhaps the best reason to encourage them to visit your yard is they will help control the mosquito population.
Photo Credit: Dan Kon
