Aeshna affinis

Southern Hawker ( Aeshna affinis ), male

The Southern Hawker ( Aeshna affinis ) is a species of dragonfly in the family of precious Dragonflies ( Aeshnidae ), which belong to the suborder of dragonflies ( Anisoptera ). It is a kind of the Mediterranean area, which currently seems to climate effects extend their area to the north and it also can reach Northern Germany.

Features

The Southern Hawker reached wingspans of 8 to 8.5 centimeters and, with a body length of 6 to 6.5 centimeters of the smaller noble dragonflies. The chest section ( thorax) is brown above, the sides green with black stripes. Likelihood of confusion especially with the Autumn Hawker ( Aeshna mixta ), but in which a different lateral thorax drawing and coloring is available. The abdomen (abdomen) of the males is black with a bright blue spot drawing on the top. Females are mottled light brown and yellow; but there are also blue spotted ( androchrome ) before females.

Way of life

The Southern Hawker is occasionally encountered in the months from July to August, heavily reeded lakes in the south of Central Europe and in rivers. She is a walking dragonfly that lives mainly in southern Europe and pulls in warm years to the north. There she currently meets irregularly and in different accumulation. An increase will take place in northern areas probably rare.

The males fly along the reed edges and set occasionally on the plants. This is where the mating takes place. Spawning usually takes place in tandem with the male often clings to vertical plant stems and the female sitting on the floor. It stings the eggs into the moist soil. However, this egg laying can take place even without accompaniment.

Female

Paarungsrad

Male -colored ( androchromes ) females

1441
de