Montana Field Guide

The Black-tipped Darner is a relatively uncommonly occurring member of the family Aeshnidae in western Montana, and a potential species of concern. Preferred habitat and breeding sites include clear lakes and ponds often with acid, boggy vegetation in forested regions, as well as some vegetated streams (Dunkle 2000, Paulson 2009). The Black-tipped Darner is distinctive with no face line, and its lateral thoracic stripes broad straight, yellow-white to pale blue, S10 is Black most other mosaic darners with straight thoracic stripes have a pale spot on S10. Associated Wetland ecological systems are: Western Emergent Marsh, Northern Rocky Mountain Wooded Vernal Pool and the Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Fen.

The Black-tipped Darner is distinctive with no face line, and its lateral thoracic stripes broad straight, yellow-white to pale blue, S10 is Black most other mosaic darners with straight thoracic stripes have a pale spot on S10.

Black-tipped Darner breeding sites include clear lakes and ponds often with acid, boggy vegetation in forested regions, as well as some vegetated streams (Dunkle 2000, Paulson 2009). Away from water, this species forages along forest openings and edges and tends to perch on saplings (Dunkle 2000).

Larvae feed on a wide variety of aquatic insects, such as mosquito larvae, other aquatic fly larvae, mayfly larvae, and freshwater shrimp. They will also eat very small fish and tadpoles.
Adult- The dragonfly will eat almost any soft-bodied flying insect including mosquitoes, flies, small moths, mayflies, and flying ants or termites.

In Montana, males have been collected more rarely than females at oviposition sites (Miller and Gustafson 1996).

Male Black-tipped Darners patrol along shorelines above vegetation as well as over open water. Females often mimic male behavior to avoid unwanted harassment prior to oviposition. Oviposition occurs during late afternoon and into evening where female will lay eggs both well above and at waterline into a variety of emergent vegetation including cattails, irises, and bur-reeds. Floating plants in water, dry grass or mud of drying ponds are also likely ovipostion sites (Dunkle 2000, Paulson 2009).