Found in North America and Europe, darners (part of the family Aeshnidae) are among the largest and fastest dragonflies on the planet. The origin of their common American name (darner) comes from the shape of the female abdomen resembling (and acting like) a sewing needle it cuts into a plant stem to lay its eggs.
Be sure to also see our dragonfly picture slideshow and damselfly picture slideshow and dragonfly and damselfly photos by well-known nature photographer Stan Lupo. The following dragonfly pictures have been submitted by our visitors.