Hemianax ephippiger

Pelmet Dragonfly ( Anax ephippiger )

The pelmet or valance dragonfly Emperor Dragonfly ( Anax ephippiger ) is still mostly made ​​in older literature to the genus Hemianax. It is a dragonfly of the family of precious Dragonflies ( Aeshnidae ), which belong to the suborder of large dragonflies ( Anisoptera ). It is a large dragonfly with a wingspan of up to 10.5 centimeters.

Features

The valance dragonfly reached wingspans 9 to 10.5 centimeters. The chest section (thorax ) of the animals is greenish - brown in color, the abdomen ( tummy) sandy brown with a dark brown patterning. The upper region of the first abdominal segment bears in the males a blue-violet spot, reminiscent of a saddle pad.

Way of life

The core habitat of the valance dragonfly is the tropical, monsoon -influenced sub-Saharan Africa. As a classic hiking dragonfly starts the way from there from October to December in large flocks to extensive hiking flights they carry over extremely long distances. Regularly in spring these animals reach eg the Canary Islands and southern Europe, from the Iberian Peninsula to the Black Sea. Individual migratory individuals were detected even been to Iceland, but also Central Europe can be achieved easily in favorable years. In Southern Europe - sometimes also in Central Europe - produce these migrants then a summer larval generation in shallow, warm, mostly temporary water bodies develops in a few weeks to Libellenimagines. Not much is known about the whereabouts of this European individuals, but more likely is a return migration of animals towards the south in the fall. An overwintering larvae of the species in Europe is virtually eliminated and only in very exceptional cases, for example, possible in Andalusia.

The pelmet Dragonflies are therefore quick and perennial flyer, but also like to sit on the ground. The pairing also takes place on the ground. Eggs are laid almost always in tandem position with the female pierces the eggs in floating plant parts or mud.