Characteristics
- Very large dragonflies (up to 85 mm long)
- Slender bodies, often blue, green, or brown with contrasting stripes
- Eyes broadly joined at the top of the head
- Long, narrow wings with dense venation
- Fast fliers, often in continuous flight without perching
Habitat
Aeshnidae are found around:
- Ponds, lakes, slow-flowing rivers, canals
- Wetlands rich in emergent vegetation
- Meadows or open woods near water
- Sometimes far from aquatic zones, when hunting or migrating
Biology
- Territorial males, constantly patrolling along banks
- Aerial mating, forming a “heart” position
- Solitary oviposition: females insert eggs into aquatic or semi-aquatic plants
- Aquatic larvae are powerful predators of tadpoles, insect larvae, and small fish
- Long larval development (2 to 3 years), with mass emergence in late spring or summer
Common Genera
- Aeshna – Type genus, includes many woodland or heathland species
- Anax – Very large dragonflies, often blue and green (Anax imperator, Anax parthenope)
- Boyeria – More discreet, brownish species, active in shady areas
Special Features
- Exceptional vision, capable of detecting movement from afar
- Aerial hunting behavior, capable of flying for long periods without landing
- Some species are migratory (e.g. Anax ephippiger)
- Ecologically important for controlling flying insects (mosquitoes, mayflies…)
