About Aeshna cyanea (Müller, 1764)
Aeshna cyanea is a large, brightly colored dragonfly with a long body. Adults reach an approximate body length of 70 millimeters (2.8 inches) and a maximum wingspan of 110 millimeters (4.3 inches). Its thorax is brown and marked with two wide green longitudinal ante-humeral stripes. A black T-shaped spot appears on its forehead. The wings are transparent (hyaline) with a dark pterostigma, and the leading edge of each wing is dark. Males have a dark abdomen with bright apple green markings; on the final abdominal segments S8-10, these markings are pale blue and joined together. Females have a brownish abdomen with bright green markings. Male eyes show a color gradient, fading from green at the bottom to blue or greenish-blue at the top, while female eyes are yellowish green or brownish. This species is one of the most common and widespread dragonflies in Europe. Its range in the Western Palearctic covers most of Europe, extending north to Scotland and southern Scandinavia, and south to Italy (excluding southwest Italy) and the northern Balkans. The Ural Mountains form its eastern range boundary, and Ireland forms its western range boundary. It also occurs in northwest Africa, specifically Algeria, and is very common across Central Europe. Aeshna cyanea primarily lives in well-vegetated small ponds and garden ponds. Individuals wander widely, and are often seen in gardens and open woodland.
