Rhionaeschna (Neotropical Darners)

Similar to Aeshna, but recently separated as a distinct genus; both sexes have a tubercle on the underside of the first abdominal segment. Species of Rhionaeschna in BC have pale areas all blue in males and the lateral thoracic stripes are straight. Both species have southern and western affinities, unlike most of our darners, which are northern and transcontinental.

Figure 7. The shapes of the side stripes on the thorax of Aeshna and Rhionaeschna
(the front stripe is on the left):
a, tuberculifera; b, interrupta - spotted form; c, interrupta - southeastern interior;
d, interrupta - interior form; e, eremita; f, canadensis; g, juncea;
h, subarctica; 1, septentrionalis; j, sitchensis; k, umbrosa; l
, palmata; m, constricta; n, californica; o, multicolor.

Figure 8. Aeshna T-spot, top view: a, sitchensis, b, septentrionalis. CE = compound eye; F = face; T = T-spot.

Figure 9. The three types of appendages of male Aeshna and Rhionaeschna,
side view: a, simple (most species; canadensis is shown)
broadens slightly toward a rounded or pointed tip;
b, forked at the tip (multicolor); c, flattened (constricta, palmata and umbrosa)
broadens and flattens toward the tip.
A10 = abdominal segment 10; UA, LA = upper, lower appendages.

Rhionaeschna californica (California Darner)

Rhionaeschna multicolor (Blue-eyed Darner)