Common, throughout MN
Average 2.9 in. long
On the wing from late June through mid to late October
Thoracic stripes are narrow, yellow at the bottom and blue to green at the top. The first strip has a backward facing extension at the top. No facial crossline. Abdomen is brown, noticeably constricted at segment 3, and the markings are small, and blue to greenish-yellow. Female abdominal appendages are narrow and often break off. Males have a distinctive downward pointing spur. Males are darkly colored, mostly brown with small green spots. Females have both blue and green forms, but otherwise resemble males in coloring.
Hunt during the day, but stay mostly in the shade. Land in the evening. Will venture out into the sunlight later in the season, as nights get earlier and colder. Prefer shaded streams, pond edges, woodland openings. Feedin swarms with other darners.
Males have a smaller territory than other darner species. Males will clasp female in mid-flight and the pair land to mate. Females oviposit eggs horizontally into rotting wood.