Fawn darner

Freshwater Habitats

Forests and Woodlands

Fawn darner does not lend itself well to trapping using food as they are predatory insects at all life stages and hunt live prey. Juveniles are aquatic and hunt various small aquatic organisms, while adults are aerial hunters targeting flying insects.

The naiads of fawn darner, found in slow-moving streams or muddy riverbanks rich in plant debris, often burrow into the substrate or hide amongst detritus. Searching for these immature stages entails gently sifting through sediment and inspecting the plants and debris in the water. As for the adults, they are predominantly located in shaded forested areas near their natal aquatic environments, often resting on vegetation. To observe the adults, one might walk along the shaded paths or the edges of nearby water bodies, with a keen eye for these insects perched on leaves or flying in a darting manner overhead.

The ideal time to find fawn darner is during the warmer months of the year, especially in the late spring through early fall, when they are most active. Adults are typically seen flying during the daytime, while aquatic naiads are present throughout the year in bodies of water.

Warm, sunny, and calm weather conditions are most favorable for finding adult fawn darner, as they prefer to fly in such conditions for hunting and mating. For naiads, weather conditions are less crucial as they are aquatic, but clear water conditions could facilitate observations.