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Aeshna umbrosa

By Heather Sanders

Geographic Range

Shadow darners are very common and are in all provinces and territories of Canada, as well as 42 states in the U.S. This species is not found in Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Hawaii and Alaska. (Dunkle, 2000; Manolis, 2003; Needham and Westfall, 1955; Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 2006; Paulson, 2009; Pelegrin, 2009)

There are two described sub-species: Aeshna umbrosa umbrosa, which is found in the eastern part of North America, and Aeshna umbrosa occidentalis, which is found in the western part of North America. They appear to differ only in geographic range. (Brooks, 2003; Dunkle, 2000; Johnson, 2011; Manolis, 2003; Montana Natural Heritage Program, 2011; Needham and Westfall, 1955; Novelo-Gutierrez and Tennessen, 2010; Paulson, 2009)

Habitat

Most commonly found in areas with standing water or slow-moving streams with shadowy areas, shadow darners usually inhabit lakes, ponds, boggy meadows, marshes, and mountain lakes in forests. They are also occasionally found in clearings or along roads, particularly when hunting. At higher elevations, this species has more diverse phenotypes. (Brooks, 2003; Dunkle, 2000; Manolis, 2003)

  • Aquatic Biomes
  • lakes and ponds
  • rivers and streams
  • temporary pools

Physical Description

Both males and females have pale gray-green faces with two antennae, a strong toothed jaw, and three large, bright eyes, or ocelli, which vary from blue-gray to brown and form a triangle. Surrounding these ocelli are the compound eyes, which are larger and darker in color. Unlike other species of dragonflies, shadow darners do not have a dark black stripe across the face. The head is approximately 7.4 to 8.4 mm long. The total length of a shadow darner is generally 6.5 to 7.8 cm. There are two pairs of large wings spanning approximately 8.5 to 10 cm. The forewings are slightly narrower than the hindwings, which are approximately 4.2 to 4.7 cm long. (Brooks, 2003; Dunkle, 2000; Johnson, 2011; Manolis, 2003; Montana Natural Heritage Program, 2011; Needham and Westfall, 1955; Novelo-Gutierrez and Tennessen, 2010; Paulson, 2009)

The body is a powerful, brown thorax and a slender abdomen, with six spined legs and strong claws. In males, there are yellow-green stripes on the side of the thorax and blue stripes on the top. The abdomen has paired blue spots, usually on 9 out of its 10 segments. Females can have the same coloring as males, known as the blue form, or in rare cases, sometimes green spots (known as the green form), or a combination of green and blue spots, on the abdomen. Colors vary geographically in some cases: the Vancouver Island population has no abdominal spots, while populations living in colder climates generally have darker spots. Adults that have recently emerged from their larval shell will have pale, unpigmented bodies until the colors develop. (Brooks, 2003; Dunkle, 2000; Johnson, 2011; Manolis, 2003; Montana Natural Heritage Program, 2011; Needham and Westfall, 1955; Novelo-Gutierrez and Tennessen, 2010; Paulson, 2009)

At the end of the abdomen, males have hooked anal appendages called cerci, while females' are unhooked. Females are also lacking the tuft of hair at the tip of the ovipositor sheath. Shadow darners are very similar to lance-tipped darners (Aeshna constricta), but can be differentiated by looking at the cerci. The cerci of shadow darners are much brighter. Often shadow darners are found flying around with paddle-tailed darners and are therefore often confused with this other species; however, paddle-tailed darners have the black stripe that shadow darners are lacking across their faces. Shadow darners also have paired spots on the ventral side of the abdomen, but paddle-tailed darners do not. (Brooks, 2003; Dunkle, 2000; Johnson, 2011; Manolis, 2003; Montana Natural Heritage Program, 2011; Needham and Westfall, 1955; Novelo-Gutierrez and Tennessen, 2010; Paulson, 2009)

  • Sexual Dimorphism
  • sexes colored or patterned differently
  • Range length
    6.5 to 7.8 cm
    2.56 to 3.07 in
  • Range wingspan
    8.5 to 10 cm
    3.35 to 3.94 in

Development

When the eggs are deposited at the end of the season in a cold climate, they enter diapause to survive the winter until they can hatch the following spring. Otherwise, the eggs generally hatch between 5 days and 2 months after oviposition, depending on the water temperature. The eggs hatch, releasing a very large, greenish-brown naiad, which is approximately 3.8 to 4.4 cm (1.5 to 1.75 inches) long. The naiad is wingless, faded in color, and lives in the water. When it is nearing the end of its larval life, the naiad climbs out of the water and switches from breathing through gills to breathing through spiracles in the thorax. (Brooks, 2003; Lung and Sommer, 2001; The Brown Family Environmental Center at Kenyon College, 2003)

After a significant period of time in larval form, the naiad matures into the larger adult form, reaching up to 8.9 cm (3.5 inches) in length. At this time, it bursts its cuticle shell by swallowing water, and emerges from its naiad skin. During this process, the dragonfly is very vulnerable to predation, because it is soft and unable to fly until the new wings harden. For this reason, this process normally occurs at night. The adult dragonfly only lives for a few weeks. (Brooks, 2003; Lung and Sommer, 2001; The Brown Family Environmental Center at Kenyon College, 2003)

Reproduction

Unlike some species of dragonflies, male shadow darners do not court females. Male and female shadow darners mate in flight using the tandem position, in which the male's head is at the female's tail and vice versa. The male transfers his sperm from the primary to the secondary genitalia, known as the hamulus, in preparation for copulation, and also removes any sperm inside the female from prior mates. The male then holds the female with his legs and cerci, while the female reaches underneath the male, forming the wheel position, and removes a sperm packet with which the eggs are fertilized. After mating, the male persuades the female to oviposit in his territory. During this process, the male guards the female to ensure that another male does not steal her before she finishes ovipositing. (Brooks, 2003; Mead, 2003; The Brown Family Environmental Center at Kenyon College, 2003)

Adults become sexually mature approximately 2 to 3 weeks after leaving the larval stage, but this can take longer in more severe climates. Breeding occurs from late April through the end of November. Since their sexually active lifespan is so short, shadow darners mate as often as possible (generally every 1 to 5 days) for the duration of their adult lives. After the male and female mate, the female fertilizes the eggs and oviposits in the late afternoon and early evening, usually into aquatic plants or wet, decaying wood. She is able to cut a hole in the plant with a chitinous blade that is part of her ovipositor. The number of eggs in each clutch varies depending on the climate and amount of sunlight available, but is usually around 500. (Corbet, 1999; Brooks, 2003; Coin, 2004; Corbet, 1999; Iowa Odonata survey, 2005; Lung and Sommer, 2001)

  • Breeding interval
    Shadow darners breed often as possible (every 1 to 5 days).
  • Breeding season
    Shadow darners breed from late April to November.
  • Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
    3 to 20 weeks
  • Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
    3 to 20 weeks

The male chooses a territory that is a prime site for oviposition to ensure successful hatching of eggs. He then guards the site from other males, thereby protecting any eggs that may have been deposited there. The female protects the eggs inside her until it is time for oviposition. To deposit them safely, she uses her chitinous blade to cut holes in plants, making a nest-like arrangement to protect the eggs until they hatch. (Brooks, 2003; Mead, 2003)

  • Parental Investment
  • pre-hatching/birth
    • provisioning
      • female
    • protecting
      • male
      • female

Lifespan/Longevity

In harsh environments, shadow darners experience diapause, which allows them to live for up to 7 months in the egg. In moderate climates, however, shadow darners generally hatch after about a week. After hatching, shadow darners begin their larval stage as naiads. The majority of their life (from approximately 2 months in warmer climates, up to several years in colder climates) is spent as a naiad. After leaving the larval stage, the shadow darner lives for approximately 2 weeks as an adult; however, this can be extended if the dragonfly survives more difficult environmental conditions in earlier stages (for example, a harsh Canadian winter). The longest known adult lifespan of any species of dragonfly is 77 days. (Brooks, 2003)

  • Range lifespan
    Status: wild
    8 to 26 months
  • Typical lifespan
    Status: wild
    2 to 8 months

Behavior

Shadow darners are very active, and are able to fly forwards, sideways and backwards since their wings beat independently of each other in figure-of-eight patterns. During the day or in bad weather, shadow darners often roost by perching on tree trunks or hanging for plants, sometimes in dense groups. They adapt well to different temperatures, and are known for surviving in unusually cold temperatures. In hot weather, they dip themselves into the water to cool down, while in cold weather they bask in the sun on a rock or tree, or whir their wings to warm up. Naiads are able to swim and propel themselves forward by spraying water out of the end of their abdomens. (Brooks, 2003; Lung and Sommer, 2001; Manolis, 2003)

When on patrol, males often defend their territory against other males of the same species, while investigating intruders of other species. They generally deal with intruders in four stages: 1. approach, 2. threaten, 3. fight, and 4. chase. The defended territory is used for ovipositing, but adults often hunt outside their territory. (Brooks, 2003)

Home Range

Shadow darners' territory generally encompasses a shaded area near still or slowly flowing water, but the size depends on the density of males in the area. When more males are present, it is more difficult to hold territory, so each territory tends to shrink in size. (Brooks, 2003)

Communication and Perception

Shadow darners rely heavily on seeing through their large, compound eyes which are designed to detect movement. They contain more ommatidia, or light-sensitive, photoreceptor cell clusters, than the eyes of any other insect. This allows them to see in color, and to detect ultraviolet and polarized light. They also have 3 ocelli located between the compound eyes, which are used to monitor the horizon and their orientation during flight. Shadow darners normally identify mates visually by recognizing colors, sizes, or shapes. (Brooks, 2003; Frye and Olberg, 1995; Lung and Sommer, 2001)

Since most of their prey are fast moving and easily visible, shadow darners do not need long antennae to reach out and search for prey. Males use their shortened antennae, legs and cerci to grasp a female that they are interested in mating. The male's cerci must successfully link to the back of the female's head, or the match won't work (perhaps because the organisms are of different species or of the same sex). A female who is disinterested in mating can reject a male by bending her abdomen down, thereby preventing the male's cerci from making a successful connection. (Brooks, 2003; Frye and Olberg, 1995; Lung and Sommer, 2001)

During the larval stage, shadow darners still rely on sight and touch. However, since most live in the water in boggy or swamp-like conditions, they rely more heavily on touch and therefore have longer antennae and smaller eyes. (Brooks, 2003; Frye and Olberg, 1995; Lung and Sommer, 2001)

Food Habits

By hawking for prey, shadow darners eat up to 20% of their body weight every day. They hunt primarily at dusk, as they are most active in the shade, but at any elevation and generally out in the open. Sometimes they hunt in a swarm with other shadow darners. They also use the spines on their legs to form a basket with which they can catch their prey. They usually eat any smaller insect, but especially mosquitoes, midges, and other dragonflies, as well as moths, locusts, and beetles. They do not, however, eat the wings of their prey, and so they pull these off before starting to eat. Naiads mostly eat larvae of aquatic insects, but sometimes supplement their diet with freshwater shrimp, tadpoles and small fish. (Brooks, 2003; Dunkle, 2000; Kraus, 2010; Lung and Sommer, 2001; Manolis, 2003)

  • Animal Foods
  • amphibians
  • fish
  • insects
  • aquatic crustaceans

Predation

Adult shadow darners are extremely agile in the air, and so it's difficult for predators to catch them. However, birds such as American kestrels, Swainson's hawks, merlins, and purple martins specialize in catching dragonflies, and consequently have keen eyesight and can fly fast enough to catch them. Shadow darners are also, on occasion, eaten by large insects such as robber flies. Females can also be at risk during oviposition for predation by amphibians, like frogs and newts. Greenish-brown coloring of naids helps camouflage them from predators. However, when emerging from their larval skin, they are undefended, unable to fly, and vulnerable to predation by birds. (Brooks, 2003; Platt and Harrison, 1995)

  • Anti-predator Adaptations
  • cryptic

Ecosystem Roles

Shadow darners are predators and prey as both larvae and adults. During reproduction, shadow darner females lay their eggs inside the stems or leaves of plants to shield them from harsh weather. Many parasitic organisms, such as mites, parasitic worms and protozoans attach themselves to shadow darners during their emergence from the larval stage. (Brooks, 2003)

Commensal/Parasitic Species
  • parasitic worms (Helminthes)
  • protozoans (Protozoa)
  • mites (Acari)

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Shadow darners, like other dragonflies, play a critical role in pest control, particularly in crops and water storage, where much damage is caused by mosquitoes. For example, mosquito larvae often inhabit rice fields or water containers, where they pose particular threat to both the crop and to humans, as they carry numerous fatal diseases. By adding a few shadow darner larvae, the mosquitoes can be controlled, and even eliminated entirely. Shadow darners also eat other pests and disease vectors, including locusts, moths, sandflies and wood-boring beetles. (Brooks, 2003)

Researchers have also noted that a reduction in the population of shadow darners is often a sign of water contamination, and can therefore be used as a warning sign for conservationists. (Brooks, 2003)

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

Many humans incorrectly believe that shadow darners are venomous, and are therefore scared of them. However, all dragonflies can sometimes carry parasites, and when eaten raw could potentially transmit these parasites to a human. Dragonflies are rarely eaten in North America, and so this is an unusual occurrence in the case of shadow darners. (Brooks, 2003)

Conservation Status

Shadow darners are not threatened or endangered. They are classified as a species of "least concern" by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Other Comments

As a species of dragonfly, shadow darners are often connected with their relatives in China and Japan as inspiration in folklore or haiku. Dragonflies, in general, are often considered symbols of grace, courage, luck or happiness, and associated with spirits or gods. In Asia, it is thought that they also carry medical properties that combat syphilis, asthma, fever, and other illnesses. (Brooks, 2003)

Contributors

Heather Sanders (author), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Renee Mulcrone (editor), Special Projects, Catherine Kent (editor), Special Projects.

Glossary

Nearctic

living in the Nearctic biogeographic province, the northern part of the New World. This includes Greenland, the Canadian Arctic islands, and all of the North American as far south as the highlands of central Mexico.

World Map

bilateral symmetry

having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.

bog

a wetland area rich in accumulated plant material and with acidic soils surrounding a body of open water. Bogs have a flora dominated by sedges, heaths, and sphagnum.

carnivore

an animal that mainly eats meat

causes disease in humans

an animal which directly causes disease in humans. For example, diseases caused by infection of filarial nematodes (elephantiasis and river blindness).

chemical

uses smells or other chemicals to communicate

crepuscular

active at dawn and dusk

cryptic

having markings, coloration, shapes, or other features that cause an animal to be camouflaged in its natural environment; being difficult to see or otherwise detect.

diapause

a period of time when growth or development is suspended in insects and other invertebrates, it can usually only be ended the appropriate environmental stimulus.

drug

a substance used for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease

ectothermic

animals which must use heat acquired from the environment and behavioral adaptations to regulate body temperature

fertilization

union of egg and spermatozoan

forest

forest biomes are dominated by trees, otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality.

freshwater

mainly lives in water that is not salty.

insectivore

An animal that eats mainly insects or spiders.

internal fertilization

fertilization takes place within the female's body

marsh

marshes are wetland areas often dominated by grasses and reeds.

metamorphosis

A large change in the shape or structure of an animal that happens as the animal grows. In insects, "incomplete metamorphosis" is when young animals are similar to adults and change gradually into the adult form, and "complete metamorphosis" is when there is a profound change between larval and adult forms. Butterflies have complete metamorphosis, grasshoppers have incomplete metamorphosis.

motile

having the capacity to move from one place to another.

mountains

This terrestrial biome includes summits of high mountains, either without vegetation or covered by low, tundra-like vegetation.

native range

the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.

oviparous

reproduction in which eggs are released by the female; development of offspring occurs outside the mother's body.

polarized light

light waves that are oriented in particular direction. For example, light reflected off of water has waves vibrating horizontally. Some animals, such as bees, can detect which way light is polarized and use that information. People cannot, unless they use special equipment.

polygynandrous

the kind of polygamy in which a female pairs with several males, each of which also pairs with several different females.

polymorphic

"many forms." A species is polymorphic if its individuals can be divided into two or more easily recognized groups, based on structure, color, or other similar characteristics. The term only applies when the distinct groups can be found in the same area; graded or clinal variation throughout the range of a species (e.g. a north-to-south decrease in size) is not polymorphism. Polymorphic characteristics may be inherited because the differences have a genetic basis, or they may be the result of environmental influences. We do not consider sexual differences (i.e. sexual dimorphism), seasonal changes (e.g. change in fur color), or age-related changes to be polymorphic. Polymorphism in a local population can be an adaptation to prevent density-dependent predation, where predators preferentially prey on the most common morph.

riparian

Referring to something living or located adjacent to a waterbody (usually, but not always, a river or stream).

seasonal breeding

breeding is confined to a particular season

sexual

reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female

swamp

a wetland area that may be permanently or intermittently covered in water, often dominated by woody vegetation.

tactile

uses touch to communicate

taiga

Coniferous or boreal forest, located in a band across northern North America, Europe, and Asia. This terrestrial biome also occurs at high elevations. Long, cold winters and short, wet summers. Few species of trees are present; these are primarily conifers that grow in dense stands with little undergrowth. Some deciduous trees also may be present.

temperate

that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle).

terrestrial

Living on the ground.

territorial

defends an area within the home range, occupied by a single animals or group of animals of the same species and held through overt defense, display, or advertisement

visual

uses sight to communicate

References

Brooks, S. 2003. Dragonflies. London: Smithsonian Books.

Coin, P. 2004. "Species Aeshna umbrosa - Shadow Darner" (On-line). Bug Guide. Accessed August 03, 2012 at http://bugguide.net/node/view/6323.

Corbet, P. 1999. Dragonflies: Behavior and ecology of Odonata. Ithaca: Comstock Publishing Associates.

Dunkle, S. 2000. Dragonflies through binoculars: A field guide to dragonflies of North America. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Frye, M., R. Olberg. 1995. Visual receptive field properties of feature detecting neurons in the dragonfly. Journal of Comparative Physiology A: Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural and Behavioral Physiology, 177: 569-576.

Iowa Odonata survey, 2005. "Shadow darner - Aeshna umbrosa" (On-line). Iowa Odonata Survey. Accessed August 03, 2012 at http://www.iowaodes.com/darners/darn-shad.asp.

Johnson, J. 2011. "Sorting paddle-tailed and shadow darners out-of-hand" (On-line). Northwest Dragonflier. Accessed August 02, 2012 at http://nwdragonflier.blogspot.com/2011/10/sorting-paddle-tailed-and-shadow.html.

Kraus, J. 2010. Diet shift of lentic dragonfly larvae in response to reduced terrestrial prey subsidies. Journal of the North American Benthological Society, 29/2: 602-613.

Lung, M., S. Sommer. 2001. "Aeshnidae: The darners" (On-line). Digital Atlas of Idaho. Accessed February 02, 2012 at http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/bio/insects/drgnfly/dragfrm.htm.

Manolis, T. 2003. Dragonflies and damselflies of California. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Mead, K. 2003. Dragonflies of the North Woods. Duluth, MN: Kollath-Stensaas Publishing.

Montana Natural Heritage Program, 2011. "Shadow darner - Aeshna umbrosa" (On-line). Montana field guide. Accessed August 02, 2012 at http://fieldguide.mt.gov/detail_IIODO14190.aspx.

Needham, J., M. Westfall. 1955. A manual of the dragonflies of North America (Anisoptera): Including the Greater Antilles and the provinces of the Mexican Border. Berkeley: University of California Press.

Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 2006. "Dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) of the United States" (On-line). Accessed August 02, 2012 at http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/insects/dfly/usa/149.htm.

Novelo-Gutierrez, R., K. Tennessen. 2010. Description of the larva of Aeshna persephone Donnelly, 1961 (Odonata: Aeshnidae). Zootaxa, 2484: 61-67.

Paulson, D. 2009. "Aeshna umbrosa" (On-line). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(TM). Accessed August 02, 2012 at http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/165055/0.

Pelegrin, A. 2009. "Aeshna umbrosa Walker, 1908" (On-line). America Dragonfly. Accessed August 02, 2012 at http://america-dragonfly.net/globalResults.php?Species=2986&offset=10.

Platt, A., S. Harrison. 1995. Robber fly and trout predation on adult dragonflies (Anisoptera: Aeshnidae) and first records of Aeshna umbrosa from Wyoming. Entomological News, 106/5: 229-236.

Rudolf, V., J. Armstrong. 2008. Emergent impacts of cannibalism and size refuges in prey on intraguild predation systems. Oecologia, 157: 675-686.

The Brown Family Environmental Center at Kenyon College, 2003. "Odonata: Life cycle" (On-line). Accessed August 03, 2012 at http://bfec.kenyon.edu/dragonfly/lifecycle.htm.

Walker, E. 1953. The Odonata of Canada and Alaska. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

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