Boyeria

McLachlan, 1896

spotted darners

Species Guides

2

Boyeria is a of in the Aeshnidae, commonly called spotted darners. The genus contains seven described distributed across temperate regions of North America and Eurasia. Species within this genus are associated with permanent stream and exhibit semivoltine or . The genus name commemorates French entomologist Étienne Laurent Joseph Hippolyte Boyer de Fonscolombe.

Boyeria grafiana by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Boyeria vinosa by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Boyeria vinosa by US Army Corps of Engineers. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Boyeria: /bɔɪˈɛ.ri.ə/

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Images

Habitat

Associated with permanent streams. Larvae of studied occupy calcareous sinter mineral substrates with organic material including roots, leaves, and wood. Gallery vegetation present along stream margins. Altitudinal range for some species between 50–400 m.

Distribution

Temperate North America and Eurasia. Specific regional records include: Crete (Boyeria cretensis, ); Sierra Morena Mountains, southern Spain; western Spain; France; Switzerland; Tunisia; Italy; Republic of Korea (Boyeria karubei); Vermont, USA.

Seasonality

occurs in spring. Long flying season reported for some . Larval instar distribution during winter characteristic of 'summer species' pattern.

Life Cycle

Semivoltine (two-year development) or (one-year development) reported across ; some individuals require three years. Seven final larval stadia identified via wing length and width measurements in studied species.

Behavior

Larval microhabitat selection functions as antidrift strategy in dynamic winter hydrology. Potential avoidance against fish and crabs observed in some .

More Details

Etymology

The generic name Boyeria commemorates French entomologist Étienne Laurent Joseph Hippolyte Boyer de Fonscolombe.

Species diversity

Seven described : Boyeria cretensis (Cretan spectre), Boyeria grafiana (ocellated darner), Boyeria irene (western spectre), Boyeria jamjari, Boyeria karubei, Boyeria maclachlani, Boyeria sinensis, and Boyeria vinosa (fawn darner).

Taxonomic research

Molecular and morphological phylogenetic studies have confirmed boundaries, particularly validating Boyeria cretensis as distinct from Boyeria irene despite previous taxonomic uncertainty.

Sources and further reading