About Anax strenuus Hagen, 1867
The giant Hawaiian darner, whose scientific name is Anax strenuus, is also commonly called the giant Hawaiian dragonfly or pinao. It is a dragonfly species belonging to the family Aeshnidae. It is one of only two dragonfly species that are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands; the other endemic species is Nesogonia blackburni. This dragonfly can be found near streams and wetlands across all islands of the Hawaiian archipelago, and it lives across a wide range of altitudes, though it is particularly common at higher elevations. This species is counted among the world's largest living dragonflies, and it is the largest dragonfly species found in the United States. Its typical wingspan measures 127 to 143 mm (5.0 to 5.6 inches), and it has been confirmed to grow to a maximum wingspan of 152 mm (6.0 inches). Reports of significantly larger sizes are unverified and considered highly questionable. The only other species from the genus Anax present in Hawaii is the closely related green darner (Anax junius). The green darner is noticeably smaller, is mostly found in lowland areas of Hawaii, and also occurs naturally in Asia and North America.
