Cyrano Darner Nasiaeschna pentacantha (Rambur, 1842)S3S4    
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Arthropoda   >   Class Insecta   >   Order Odonata   >   Family Aeshnidae   >   Genus Nasiaeschna   

Status:

The common name of Cyrano Darner (Nasiaeschna pentacantha) makes reference to the famed nose of Cyrano de Bergerac, because this dragonfly has a very prominent frons (Paulson & Dunkle, 2012). Cyrano Darner frequents wooded wetlands, swamps, and slow, wooded streams. It is often found in similar habitats as Swamp Darner, but can be distinguished by characters below. In Maryland, this dragonfly is widespread, but usually uncommon (Richard Orr's The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Maryland and the District of Columbia). This species is ranked as S3 (watch list) in Maryland.

Description:

With its blue eyes, and brown-and-green coloration, Cyrano Darner resembles the larger Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros), but may be distinguished from Swamp by its more jagged lateral thoracic stripes, more extensive green on the abdominal segments, and proportionately thicker, tapering abdomen without noticeable constriction at the base (Paulson, 2011).

There are 117 records in the project database.

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Cyrano Darner in Calvert Co., Maryland (7/19/2020). (c) jasoneavery, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jason Avery. (MBP list)

A Cyrano Darner found in Wicomico Co., Maryland (5/19/2007). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

A Cyrano Darner in Caroline Co., Maryland (5/27/2007). Photo by Steve Collins. (MBP list)

Cyrano Darner in Worcester Co., Maryland (7/14/2007). (c) Bill Hubick, all rights reserved. Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

A Cyrano Darner in Caroline Co., Maryland (8/4/2013). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

A Cyrano Darner in Caroline Co., Maryland (6/13/2020). Photo by Jim Moore. (MBP list)

Cyrano Darner in Calvert Co., Maryland (6/24/2022). (c) rosalie-rick, all rights reserved. Photo by rosalie-rick via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Cyrano Darner in Caroline Co., Maryland (7/14/2018). (c) Dave Eib, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Dave Eib via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A Cyrano Darner in Frederick Co., Maryland (6/8/2019). Photo by Bill Sherman. (MBP list)

A male Cyrano Darner in Howard Co., Maryland (7/28/2014). Photo by Richard Orr. (MBP list)

Cyrano Darner in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (7/22/2022). (c) Jonathan Irons, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jonathan Irons. (MBP list)

Cyrano Darner in Wicomico Co., Maryland (6/30/2022). (c) Jonathan Irons, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jonathan Irons. (MBP list)


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