Coryphaeschna ingens (Rambur, 1842)
Regal Darner
NatureServe Global Rank: G5
Virginia State Rank: S1
VA DGIF Tier: IV
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: The Regal Darner is the largest dragonfly in Virginia. The thorax is mostly green with brown stripes. The eyes of the male are green and the female's are blue. Abdomen is very long and dark brown, ringed with narrow green lines, and also with additional complex green lines. Size; 86-90 mm., 3.4-3.5 inches.
Similar species: The Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros) is very similar, but is not quite as large, and has blue eyes in both sexes. The abdomen of the Swamp Darner has green rings only, without the additional complex lines as in the Regal Darner. The thorax of the Swamp Darner is mostly brown, with green stripes. It is also much more common and widespread in Virginia.
North American Range: The Regal Darner is found in the southeastern United States from extreme southeast Virginia to east Texas. Also in Cuba and the Bahamas. The only Virginia records are from Southampton County in 1975, and a more recent possible sight record from Fisherman's Island, Northampton County.
VA Observations by Locality: Southampton
Flight season and broods: The flight season in Virginia for the Regal Darner ranges from 11 June - 26 July.
Aquatic Habitat: The Regal Darner is found in ponds, lakes, and ditches with aquatic vegetation.
Behavior and Ecology: Pairs of the Regal Darner mate away from their breeding habitat. They will roost in bushes and trees, not on the ground. They often feed high in the air, making observation and capture difficult.
Population trend and potential threats: Though common in the deep south, such as in Florida, it is rather rare further north. Virginia records are perhaps strays from further south, and breeding status is yet to be determined.
Management practices: Monitor and protect occupied habitats.
References: Carle, F.L., 1982. A contribution to the knowledge of the Odonata. Ph.D. thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia. 1,095 pp.
NatureServe. 2011. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer (Accessed: March 15, 2012).
Paulson, Dennis. 2011. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East. Princeton University Press. Princeton and Oxford. 538 pp.
Roble, Steven M. 2011. Dragonflies of Virginia- Flight dates. Unpub.