Common Green Darner
Anax junius · Also known as: green darner, darner dragonfly
Maryland’s signature migrant dragonfly. Big, green, and patrolling marsh edges and bike trails from spring through fall around Ocean City and Assateague.
Quick facts
| Group | Dragonfly / damselfly |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★★★★★ |
| Habitats | Salt marsh, Coastal bays, Maritime forest, Assateague State Park, Assateague National Seashore, Mainland near OC |
| Seasons (this coast) | spring, summer, fall, migration |
How to recognize them
- Large (to ~3 inches) dragonfly with a bright green thorax and blue (male) or greenish (female) abdomen.
- Hovers and darts over open water and trails; often the first big dragonfly visitors notice on warm days.
Biology notes
- Strong flier that migrates in fall swarms along the coast; nymphs develop in still or slow freshwater and brackish pools.
- Adults hunt mosquitoes, midges, and other flying insects on the wing—useful neighbors in marsh country.
Where to see them around Ocean City
- Assateague marsh trails and Bayside Campground loops—watch over ditches and tidal guts.
- Ocean City mainland ponds, golf-course wetlands, and coastal highway retention basins after rain.
- Bike paths through Isle of Wight and Sinepuxent Bay marsh edges on calm mornings.
When to look
- April through October peaks; fall migration can stack dozens along dunes and marsh lines.
- Mid-morning to late afternoon on warm, sunny days.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- Move slowly along marsh boardwalks—darners often return to the same perch.
- Binoculars help; they rarely sit long enough for a phone macro unless they are ovipositing.
