Swamp Darner
Epiaeschna heros
This record describes Epiaeschna heros (species). Recorded family: Aeshnidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Large, dark brown with blue eyes. Compare Regal and Cyrano Darners. An impressive dragonfly of southern wetlands. Christopher Hadin journal entry -- August 22, 2005 This evening at dusk there was a steady migration of what appeared to be Swamp Darners heading due west. Most were flying too high to catch. I went to the corner of Cottage and Osborne (in East Norwalk Connecticut) where I had a clear and unobstructed view of the sky to the east. A few came in low and I was able to catch and photograph one. The little bastard bit me with a surprisingly firm and painful pinch. I did see a few that were not moving from E to W and appeared to be feeding, but the vast majority were going in that direction. There was about one every 10 seconds and sometimes two or three came flying through together. I also noted that Green Darners were present, though not in large numbers. … Christopher Hadin, 12 September, 2005
Wikipedia reference for Epiaeschna heros: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiaeschna_heros.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Shaded ponds, streams, swamps, temporary ponds
Geographic Range
e US, Ont., common in south. Somewhat migratory, esp. along Atlantic coast.
Seasonal Activity
mostly: Apr-Aug (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Predatory. May form swarms to feed on swarms of winged termites and ants. Often feeds very high.
Life History
Females oviposit in a variety of sites, in mud, in stems, or in mud of dried-up ponds.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Epiaeschna heros. 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 Swamp Darner (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Swamp Darner
What is Swamp Darner?
Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros) is a species in the family Aeshnidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Swamp Darner?
Total length: 80-94 mm; abdomen: 63-72 mm; hindwing: 52-60 mm. (OC)
How do you identify Swamp Darner?
Large, dark brown with blue eyes. Compare Regal and Cyrano Darners.
Where is Swamp Darner found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Shaded ponds, streams, swamps, temporary ponds |
| Range | e US, Ont., common in south. Somewhat migratory, esp. along Atlantic coast. |
What does Swamp Darner eat?
The diet of the Swamp Darner includes Predatory. May form swarms to feed on swarms of winged termites and ants. Often feeds very high..
When is Swamp Darner active?
Swamp Darner: seasonal activity - mostly: Apr-Aug (BG data).
What is the life cycle of a Swamp Darner?
Females oviposit in a variety of sites, in mud, in stems, or in mud of dried-up ponds.