State Insect: Green Darner Dragonfly
	Green Darner Dragonfly In 1997, the common green darner dragonfly, Anax junius Drury, became Washington's official state insect after a group of students at Crestwood Elementary School in Kent brought the idea of a state insect to the Legislature. About 25,000 students from over 100 school districts statewide participated in the selection of the common green darner dragonfly. Also known as the "mosquito hawk," this dragonfly can be found throughout Washington and is a beneficial contributor to the ecosystem because it consumes a large number of insect pests. It is easily recognizable by its bright green head and thorax, it has a 4- to 6-inch wingspan and can fly 25 to 35 mph. There are over 400 different species of dragonflies. Dragonflies existed prior to the dinosaur age and had up to a 3-foot wing span. "Darner" is one family of dragonflies and the common green (Anax junius) was first sighted and recorded by a man named Drury in 1773.
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