Southern Hawker
Aeshna cyanea
The Southern Hawker is an impressive large dragonfly with a body length of up to 8 cm. It is known for its curiosity towards humans and its striking pattern of green and blue spots on a dark background. The species prefers small standing water bodies, ponds, and woodland edges, with the larvae undergoing a multi-year development period in the water.
Details
Identification
Large yellow-green patches on the sides of the thorax; males with blue spots on the final abdominal segments; females almost entirely green-spotted.
Social behavior
Solitary; males aggressively defend hunting territories and mating sites along the water's edge.
Diet
Larvae feed on aquatic insects, tadpoles, and small fish; adults hunt flying insects such as mosquitoes and flies.
Hunting strategy
Larvae are ambush predators using a labial mask; adults are active aerial hunters that catch prey in flight.
Spawning substrate
Eggs are inserted into decaying wood, moss cushions, or moist soil near the shoreline.
Overwintering
Overwintering occurs either in the egg stage or as a larva in the benthic mud of the water body.
Ecology
Ecological role
Significant predator in the food chain of small water bodies and adjacent terrestrial habitats.
Natural predators
Birds (e.g., Eurasian Hobby), frogs, larger predatory fish, and other large dragonflies.
Competitor species
Other Aeshnids such as the Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis).
Ecosystem service
Natural regulation of insect populations, particularly mosquitoes.
Threats
Destruction of small water bodies, use of insecticides in agriculture, and desiccation of habitats.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
Characteristic features include the very broad, oval antehumeral stripes (shoulder stripes) and large yellow-green lateral spots on the thorax. Unlike Aeshna juncea, the eyes meet over a longer distance. The abdominal mosaic pattern is blue at the tip and green at the front in males.
Role in food web
Important predator in small water bodies; regulates insect populations and serves as prey for larger vertebrates.
Protection & threats
Main threats
Currently not threatened. Local impacts due to the filling of small water bodies or intensive fish stocking in small ponds.
Population trend
Stable; the species benefits significantly from the creation of garden ponds in urban areas.
Conservation measures
Maintenance and creation of small water bodies; promotion of near-natural bank structures; avoidance of fish stocking in small breeding waters.