One of the loveliest, largest, and most widespread dragonfly species in Canada is
Anax junius, commonly known as the Green Darner. Both males and females range in length between 70 and 80 millimetres and have a wingspan of 100 to 120 millimetres. The Green Darner's common name is rooted in its bright green body and long blue abdominal region marked with a black line along its entire length that looks much like a darning needle. The Green Darner has large green or brown eyes that join at the top of its head, extending the dragonfly's scope of vision to nearly 360 degrees. The area just in front of the conjoined eyes bears a distinctive dark "bull's-eye" marking.
Green darners are one of the few dragonfly species in North America known to be migratory. They travel south from many regions of Canada between late August and November, returning the following year between March and June to lay their eggs.
Like all dragonflies, green darners are amazing aerial hunters that can fly at incredible speeds. They use this speed and their unusual eyesight to catch prey on the wing. Their prey includes black flies, deer flies, mosquitoes, moths, butterflies, bees, and other insects. They are also entirely carnivorous in their nymph phase, feeding on aquatic insects, tadpoles, and fish eggs.
Green darners are found throughout southern Canada and are common across much of North America, South America, Asia, and the West Indies
Specifications
- Mintage 10000
- Composition fine silver (99.99% pure)
- Finish proof
- Weight (g) 15.87
- Diameter (mm) 34
- Edge serrated
- Certificate serialized
- Face value 10 dollars
- Artist Celia Godkin (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)