The paddle-tailed darner (Aeshna palmata) is a species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae.

It is common throughout western Canada and United States.

[2][3] This species is named after its distinctive paddle-shaped appendages.

It lives in many habitats, particularly lakes, ponds, and slow streams, usually with dense shore vegetation.

[4] Aeshna palmata was scientifically described for the first time in 1856 by Hermann Hagen.