Southern hawker

The southern hawker, also known as the blue hawker, is a large dragonfly species. Its scientific name is Aeshna cyanea. This insect belongs to the Aeshnidae family. It is one of the most widespread and common dragonflies found in Europe. These insects are important parts of their local environments. They are known for being very active fliers. They can often be seen far away from the water where they live.

The southern hawker has a very distinct physical appearance. The thorax, which is the middle section of the body, is brown. It features two wide, green longitudinal stripes called ante-humeral stripes. On its forehead, the insect has a black spot shaped like the letter T. Its wings are hyaline, meaning they are clear or transparent. These wings have a dark pterostigma, which is a colored spot on the wing. The leading edge of each wing is also dark.

There are clear differences between male and female southern hawkers. Males have a dark abdomen with bright apple green markings. On the last segments, known as S8 through S10, the markings turn pale blue and join together. The eyes of the male show a color gradient. They fade from green on the bottom to blue or greenish-blue at the top. Females look different because their abdomen is brownish with bright green markings. Their eyes are usually yellowish green or brownish instead of blue.

The life cycle of the southern hawker involves several different stages. It begins when a female lays eggs in still or slow-flowing water. She does this by jabbing her abdomen into rotting wood or decaying vegetation. These eggs hatch in the spring after being laid the previous year. Before they become flying adults, they live as nymphs in the water. Nymphs spend two to three years developing underwater. During this time, they eat aquatic insects, invertebrates, small fish, and even small tadpoles. They finally emerge as adults in July or August.

Adult southern hawkers are very busy during their flight period. This period usually lasts from June to October. However, some can be seen as early as May or as late as November. They are voracious predators that catch various insects while flying through the air. Males are very territorial and will patrol the edges of ponds or rivers. They will fight other males to protect their area. These battles involve the males crashing into each other and spiraling through the air. Females are more quiet and can be hard to see when they lay eggs.

This species has a very large geographic range across the Western Palearctic. In the north, they reach Scotland and southern Scandinavia. To the south, they inhabit Italy and the northern Balkans. They are also found in Algeria in northwest Africa. Their eastern boundary is defined by the Ural Mountains. To the west, their range extends to Ireland. In Central Europe, the southern hawker is considered a very common species. They often inhabit well-vegetated ponds or garden ponds, but they also wander into open woodlands.

Observing a southern hawker can be a unique experience. They are inquisitive insects that will often approach people. You might see them in parks, open fields, or even on populated streets. They can fly hundreds of meters away from their natural habitats. While they look large and imposing, they are completely harmless to humans. Some people mistake the Cercus at the end of the abdomen for a stinger or a claw. However, dragonflies do not have the ability to sting. Unlike wasps or hornets, they do not attack when they feel threatened.