Aeshna isoceles (Müller, 1767)
Green-eyed Hawker

Type locality: Europe, no locality data available.

Diagnosis

A brown and rather plain hawker, with clear wings and conspicuous green eyes. At rest and in the hand, the yellow triangle on S2 is diagnostic, as are the colour and shape of the hindwing base. Males patrol marshy ditches, reedy lakesides and other lush, calm waters. Entire body is brown and virtually unmarked, apart from a slightly dark crest on the frons, two yellow bands on the thorax sides, dark lines on the abdomen and a conspicuous yellow triangle on upperside S2. When mature, the green eyes contrast with the brown body. Wings clear, with dark veins and a diagnostic deep amber patch at the hindwing base. The brownish Anax ephippiger and A. parthenope can have greenish eyes, but have an unbanded thorax and blue ‘saddle’ at the abdomen base. Male membranule and anal triangle elongated, the latter with 3-7 cells (often two and seldom more than four in Aeshna). Male upper appendages more slender than those of other Aeshna, with tooth near base on underside. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Lewington 2006]

Habitat description

Mostly standing waters, but also streams and possibly rivers, in open landscapes. Usually with emergent and often aquatic vegetation, coarse detritus and a soft (like muddy) bottom. From 0 to 500 m above sea level, but possibly up to 2000.

Distribution

confirmed: Algeria; Morocco; Tunisia

Map citation: Clausnitzer, V., K.-D.B. Dijkstra, R. Koch, J.-P. Boudot, W.R.T. Darwall, J. Kipping, B. Samraoui, M.J. Samways, J.P. Simaika & F. Suhling, 2012. Focus on African Freshwaters: hotspots of dragonfly diversity and conservation concern. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 10: 129-134.


Reference

  • Müller, O.F. (1767). Enumeratio ac Descriptio Libellularum agri Fridrichsdalensis Nova Acta physico-medica Academiae Caesareae Leopoldino-Caro, 3, 122-131.

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-28].