Here’s a full, detailed overview of the Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea), one of Europe’s most common and striking dragonflies.

🟦 **Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea)**

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
Species: A. cyanea

Common name: Southern Hawker
Scientific name: Aeshna cyanea

Identification

The Southern Hawker is a large and colorful dragonfly, easily recognized by its bold green and blue markings and curious behavior—it often flies close to people and hovers inquisitively.

Length: 70–78 mm
Wingspan: 100–110 mm
Body color:
- Males: Black body with bright blue and green spots, especially on the abdomen and thorax
- Females: Green and brown with pale green spots
Eyes: Large and touching on the top of the head; greenish-blue in males, greenish-brown in females
Wings: Clear with a slight amber tint near the base
Flight: Strong, agile, and often hovering near water or woodland edges

It can be confused with other hawkers (Aeshna species), but its bold color pattern and habit of patrolling shaded areas help distinguish it.

Distribution and Range

The Southern Hawker is widespread across:

Europe: From the British Isles and Scandinavia south to the Mediterranean
North Africa: Local populations
Western Asia: Extending into Turkey and the Caucasus

In northern Europe, it is one of the most common large dragonflies, thriving even in suburban gardens.

Habitat

Prefers woodland ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams, often with nearby trees or bushes for shelter.
Also frequently found in gardens, parks, and forest clearings.

Larvae develop in standing or gently flowing freshwater with abundant aquatic vegetation.

Behavior

Flight period: June to October (sometimes May to November in warm years)
Activity: Diurnal, flying in sunshine and warm weather
Territorial: Males patrol and defend stretches of water, chasing rivals and courting females
Perching: Often rests vertically on tree trunks or branches
Curiosity: Known to approach humans closely, sometimes hovering face-to-face

Diet

A fierce aerial predator that feeds on:

Flying insects: Midges, mosquitoes, flies, wasps, butterflies, and other small dragonflies
Larvae (nymphs): Feed on aquatic insects, tadpoles, and small fish

Hunts by sight, using excellent vision to intercept prey midair.

Life Cycle

Mating: Males and females form a “wheel” position typical of dragonflies.
Egg-laying (oviposition): Female lays eggs in rotting wood, moss, or vegetation near water.
Larval stage: Lasts 2–3 years underwater; the larvae (nymphs) ambush prey among plants.
Emergence: Mature larvae crawl out of water to transform into winged adults.

Adults live for several weeks, focused on feeding and reproduction.

Lifespan

Larval stage: 2–3 years
Adult stage: 6–8 weeks

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)
Population trend: Stable and common across Europe

The species adapts well to man-made ponds and garden water features, making it one of the most familiar large dragonflies.

Ecological Role

Controls populations of mosquitoes and other flying insects
Serves as prey for birds, frogs, and bats
Indicator of clean, healthy freshwater ecosystems

Predators and Threats

Birds, frogs, and larger dragonflies prey on adults
Fish and aquatic predators feed on larvae
Threats include water pollution, loss of breeding ponds, and habitat destruction

Key Identification Points

Feature	Description
Scientific name	Aeshna cyanea
Common name	Southern Hawker
Family	Aeshnidae
Length	70–78 mm
Wingspan	100–110 mm
Male color	Black with blue and green spots
Female color	Brown-green with pale spots
Habitat	Woodland ponds, lakes, slow rivers
Flight period	June–October
Conservation status	Least Concern

Interesting Facts

The Southern Hawker is often seen far from water, patrolling woodland paths and gardens.
It can hover motionless, fly backward, and even turn 180° in midair.
Unlike many dragonflies, it tolerates shade and breeds in small, secluded ponds.
Its Latin name cyanea refers to the blue coloration of the male’s abdomen.

Summary

The Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) is a large, vividly colored dragonfly found across Europe’s forests, ponds, and gardens. With its bright blue and green markings, inquisitive behavior, and powerful flight, it stands out as one of the most recognizable and widespread dragonflies in its range. Its adaptability and beauty make it a true ambassador of healthy freshwater habitats.