Amazon Darner
Anax amazili
This record describes Anax amazili (species). Recorded family: Aeshnidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Eyes gray; Face green with diamond-shaped black mark on frons; white spots laterally on S3-9. Rare. May be breeding in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and southern Florida.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Open ponds and marshes
Geographic Range
Records from Texas, Florida and Louisiana. Mostly found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, but has been documented in central and west Texas. Ranges south to Argentina.
Seasonal Activity
April-November in Texas, June-October in Florida
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Anax amazili. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Odonata includes ~6,000 described species of dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects, reaching 36 mph (58 km/h). They can fly in any direction including backward, and hover in place - each wing operates independently.
Ecological role of the group
Dragonflies predate dinosaurs by nearly 100 million years - fossils date to 325 million years ago. The largest dragonfly ancestor, Meganeuropsis permiana (285 mya), had a 75cm wingspan, enabled by atmospheric oxygen levels of 31-35% compared to today's 21%. Dragonflies have a 95% hunting success rate - the highest of any predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Dragonflies are voracious predators that consume hundreds of mosquitoes daily, providing natural pest control worth millions in reduced mosquito-borne disease risk. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Recorded sources for this group: Natural History Museum London, Britannica, fossil record research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Amazon Darner (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Darner
What is Amazon Darner?
Amazon Darner (Anax amazili) is a species in the family Aeshnidae, within the order Odonata.
How do you identify Amazon Darner?
Eyes gray; Face green with diamond-shaped black mark on frons; white spots laterally on S3-9.
Where is Amazon Darner found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Open ponds and marshes |
| Range | Records from Texas, Florida and Louisiana. Mostly found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, but has been documented in central and west Texas. Ranges south to Argentina. |
When is Amazon Darner active?
Amazon Darner: seasonal activity - April-November in Texas, June-October in Florida.