Aeshna isoceles

Harlequin - hawker ( Aeshna isoceles ), male

The harlequin - hawker or harlequin dragonfly ( Aeshna isoceles ) is a dragonfly of the family of precious Dragonflies ( Aeshnidae ), which belong to the suborder of large dragonflies ( Anisoptera ). It is spread from North Africa to South, Central and Eastern Europe to Turkey. As the northernmost point Fund applies the island of Gotland. In Germany the species is rare and endangered.

Features

The harlequin - Mosaikjungfer reached wingspans of 8.5 to 9.5 centimeters. The entire body of the harlequin - Darner has an orange-brown tone and, in the male, a fine greenish drawing. In contrast to the similar color Brown Hawker ( Aeshna grandis) with brown wings, the wings are clear with her. The harlequin - Darner also carries on the back side of the second Abdomenabschnittes a wedge-shaped drawing, to which it owes its name. Striking are their green compound eyes that contrast with the otherwise light brown body coloration.

Way of life

The adults of the species are found in Central Europe quite early from mid-May to early August, standing in the reeds and slow-flowing waters of the lowlands. They are very heat -loving, the males often will stay in reed bays on the water- facing side of the plant. They fly in comparison to other types of little and lay a long rest periods.

The females looking the water on mating and egg laying. The pairing begins and ends above the water in the branches of the bank trees. The females pierce their eggs in a floating plant parts.

The larvae hatch in the same year about six weeks after oviposition. Depending on the environmental conditions takes its development a year or two.

Systematics and Nomenclature

Some authors the harlequin - hawker dragonfly of the Asian genus Anaciaeschna is slammed, this assignment is, however, very controversial.

In the literature over many decades common spelling " isosceles " for the scientific names of species is wrong according to the rules in force before 2000, as in the original description of the type " Libellula isoceles " is (without s ). After 1999, a valid at any given time decision as to the correctness of the name because of a new regulation in the 4th edition of the ICZN Code (Article 33.2.3.1 and 33.3.1 ) can only be taken if it was determined which spelling -to-date is the predominant use.