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Zigzag Darner - Aeshna sitchensis
State Rank Reason (see State Rank above)
The Zigzag Darner is currently ranked S2S3 as a "potential species of concern" in Montana because it is potentially at risk of extirpation in the state, due to limited and/or declining numbers, range and/or habitat, even though it may be abundant in some areas.
General Description
The Zigzag Darner is a relatively small, fairly uncommonly occurring member of the family Aeshnidae in Montana and a potential species of concern. Preferred habitat includes small bog pools with little to no emergent vegetation as well as fens and other shallow cold water pools with some moss cover and nearby wooded uplands. Many breeding sites chosen by this species dry up during the summer months (Dunkle 2000, Paulson 2009). The zigzag darner is distinctive with its zigzag thoracic stripes and a brown abdomen with pale blue spots.
Diagnostic Characteristics
The zigzg darner is distinctive with its zigzag thoracic stripes, small size and a brown abdomen with pale blue spots.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
Zigzag Darners are widespread across Alaska; Labrador; Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland, North West Territories, Ontario, Quebec, Yukon; and the northern United States: from Maine/New Hampshire to Washington, south to Colorado, Wyoming and potentially extirpated in Utah(Needham and Westfall, 1955). In Montana, it has been collected from wet meadows in the Swan River Valley (Lake County), Skalkaho Pass (Granite County), and near Indian Meadows (Lewis and Clark County) (Miller and Gustafson 1996).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 67
(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version)
Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Zigzag Darners prefer small bog pools with little to no emergent vegetation as well as fens and other shallow cold water pools with some moss cover and nearby wooded uplands. Many breeding sites chosen by this species dry up during the summer months (Dunkle 2000, Paulson 2009). Away from breeding sites this species can often be found perching on light-colored substrates located on the ground, on logs and trees in the nearby wooded uplands or in open clearings and logging roads. Although males mostly feed at breeding sites, both sexes also feed away from the water, but not late into the evening or swarms (Dunkle 2000 Paulson 2009). They have also been observed in wet meadows (Miller and Gustafson 1996).
National Vegetation Classification System Groups Associated with this Species
Grassland
Montane - Subalpine Grassland
Wetland and Riparian
Alkaline - Saline Wetlands
Alpine Riparian and Wetland
Peatland
Riparian and Wetland Forest
Wet Meadow and Marsh
Recently Disturbed or Modified
Harvested Forest
Recently Burned
Food Habits
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.
Reproductive Characteristics
Zigzag Darner males do not tend to hover, but do perch more often than other Darners, with short patrols over the open water and along the bog or fen edges without any apparent pattern. Females oviposit at the waterline in grasses or sedges or at any open water shoreline, often in moss beds, algal mats, or mud (Dunkle 2000, Paulson 2009).
Stewardship Responsibility
References
- Literature Cited AboveLegend:
View Online Publication
Miller, K.B. and D.L. Gustafson. 1996. Distribution records of the Odonata of Montana. Bulletin of American Odonatology 3(4):75-88.
- Additional ReferencesLegend: View Online Publication
Do you know of a citation we're missing?- Dunkle, S.W. 2000. Dragonflies through binoculars: A field guide to dragonflies of North America. New York, NY. Oxford University Press. 266 pp.
- Nelson, Howard E. 1953. The summer dragonflies of Flathead Valley, Montana. M.A. Thesis. University of Montana. Missoula, MT.
- Paulson, D.R. 2009. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West. Princeton University Press, Princeton. 535 pp.
- Web Search Engines for Articles on "Zigzag Darner"
- Additional Sources of Information Related to "Insects"
