Description

Length: From 47 to 50 mm.
Hindwing spam: From 27 to 31 mm.
Male: 1. Greeny, bluish or greyish separated eyes. 2. Yellow thorax with thin black stripes. They are thinner than in other Gomphus species. 3. Wavy black interpleural suture is black and wavy and goes across the entire thorax. 4. The upper part of the abdomen is black with yellow markings in the shape of a wedge. 5. Hardly noticeable widening on S8 and S9. 6. Short anal appendages, which are forked.
Female: Similar to males in patterns. 7. Abdomen is thicker than in males, above all first segments. 8. Shorter anal appendages.

Habitat

In general, the water bodies they reproduce in are slower than in other species from the same genus. These are the pools in perennial rivers, streams and endorheic lakes with sandy bottom.

Way of life

Their timid behaviour makes them difficult to be found. They like sunny places, where they rest horizontally or kind of diagonally with stretched wings in the shape of a cross or leant forward. It rest on the riverbank, gravel, big rocks, and surrounding plants.

When to see this species

In Málaga, it appears earlier than other Gomphus species, as it mostly flies from March to June.

Where to see this species

This is the most common and widespread species from the above genus in this province. However it is as rare as other Gomphus species and lives in a limited range of habitats.
It has been recorded on stages 19 and 27 of the Great Málaga path, more specifically, round the Guadalhorce reservoir and the River Genal. It could also live on most of the routes in the province, including stages from 21 to 32.

Similar species

Gomphus graslinii and Gomphus simillimus.

Conservation status

This species is not endangered nor is it particularly protected by the current environmental laws.