Aeshna interrupta

Walker, 1908

Variable Darner

Aeshna interrupta, commonly known as the Variable Darner, is a in the native to North America. Its range extends from Alaska and the Northwest Territories through Newfoundland, south to New Hampshire and Michigan in the eastern United States, and to the mountains of New Mexico, Arizona, and California in the west. The species is named for the distinctive broken stripes on the sides of the present in many male specimens. It occupies diverse including northern and mountain peatlands, cattail marshes, and other wetland environments.

Aeshna interrupta by (c) Nick Block, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Block. Used under a CC-BY license.Aeshna interrupta by (c) Nick Block, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Block. Used under a CC-BY license.Aeshna interrupta by (c) Nick Block, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Block. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Aeshna interrupta: /ˈaɪʃnə ɪntəˈrʌptə/

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Identification

Males are distinguished by broken or interrupted pale stripes on the sides of the , from which the derives both its scientific and . This pattern contrasts with the more continuous thoracic stripes seen in other Aeshna species. The species exhibits variable coloration, contributing to its common name 'Variable Darner'.

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Habitat

Occupies diverse wetland from northern and mountain peatlands to cattail marshes. Found in both acidic bog pools and more neutral marsh environments across its broad geographic range.

Distribution

Native to North America from Alaska and the Northwest Territories through Newfoundland, south to New Hampshire and Michigan in the eastern United States, and to the mountains of New Mexico, Arizona, and California in the west.

Similar Taxa

  • Aeshna junceaCommon Hawker shares similar size and preferences in peatland environments, but lacks the distinctive interrupted thoracic stripes of A. interrupta
  • Other Aeshna speciesDistinguished from by the broken/interrupted pattern of pale thoracic stripes in males, versus more continuous striping in related

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Sources and further reading