Green-striped darner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Green-striped darner
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification

The Green-striped Darner (Dromaeschna forcipata) is a fascinating type of large dragonfly. It is part of a family of dragonflies known as Telephlebiidae. You can usually find this amazing insect living near streams in the coastal rainforests of north-eastern Queensland, Australia.

What is a Green-striped Darner?

The Green-striped Darner is a big dragonfly. It has a mostly black body with bright dark green markings. If you look closely at its sides, you'll see cool stripes that switch between black and green. This gives it its special name!

Where Does This Dragonfly Live?

This particular darner loves to live in warm, wet places. Its home is typically in the rainforests along the coast of north-eastern Queensland, Australia. It prefers areas with clear streams where it can hunt and lay its eggs.

What Do Darners Eat?

Like most dragonflies, the Green-striped Darner is a skilled hunter. They are carnivores, which means they eat other insects. They catch their prey while flying, using their strong legs like a basket. They often eat smaller flying insects like mosquitoes and flies. This helps keep insect populations balanced in their habitat.

The Life Cycle of a Dragonfly

Dragonflies, including the Green-striped Darner, have an interesting life cycle. It starts with an egg and goes through different stages before becoming an adult dragonfly.

Eggs and Larvae

Female darners lay their eggs in or near water, often on plants. Once the eggs hatch, tiny creatures called nymphs or larvae emerge. These nymphs live underwater. They are also predators, eating small aquatic insects and even tiny fish. They breathe through gills, just like fish.

Growing Up Underwater

Dragonfly nymphs can live underwater for months or even years. During this time, they grow by shedding their skin many times. This process is called molting. Each time they molt, they get a little bigger.

Becoming an Adult Dragonfly

When a nymph is ready to become an adult, it crawls out of the water. It usually climbs onto a plant stem or a rock. Then, its skin splits open, and the adult dragonfly slowly emerges. This is a truly amazing transformation! The new adult dragonfly will then fly away to find food and a mate.

Gallery

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  Female wings

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  Male wings