273 Records

Status

Fawn Darner (Boyeria vinsoa) is the more widespread of the two spotted darner species in Maryland. This dragonfly is found at a variety of creeks and smaller rivers, and has a wide range of accepted substrates. This species prefers flying in the shadier parts of the day, or under closed forest canopies, and often becomes more active starting in late afternoon, or on cloudy days. It may even be somewhat crepuscular in habits, sometimes continuing to patrol after the sun has set. This species can occur together with Ocellated Darner, but Fawn is a warmer brown, often visible in flight, with less extensive pale markings, and with large dark basal spots on the wings. Fawn Darners patrol sections of stream habitats along the banks, slowly investigating root masses and log jams for females (Paulson, 2011). This species is considered uncommon but widespread in Maryland, and probably occurs in every county (Richard Orr's The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Maryland and the District of Columbia). Its habits could make it appear less common than it actually is.