Description

Length: From 67 to 76 mm.
Hindwing spam: From 43 to 42 mm.
Male: 1. Blue or grey eyes. 2. Black thorax with large yellowish or greeny stripes, on the upper part and on the sides. 3. On the upper part of S2, there is a yellow marking in the shape of a champagne glass. 4. A narrow section on S3. 5. Abdomen is black with blue, yellow or small green spots. 6. Long anal appendages.
Female: It is similar to the male as for the patterns, but they have more yellow and green parts.

Habitat

They mate in stagnant bodies of water, which are not necessarily large, but as big as small lagoons or lakes, ponds, and even water tanks and drinking troughs. They can also be found in shady streams covered in plants. This species can be spotted far away from water, above all, in the mountains or forests.

Way of life

The same as Aesha mixta, this species tends to scatter after emerging, and it goes back to the place where it was bred when it becomes mature. It is easier to spot males, which are territorial, so they can hardly be seen at the same place.
This species is a great predator, which can even prey on butterflies, among other insects. It flies tirelessly, and it hardly ever rests but when it does, it can be found a bit higher, between trees and bushes, where it hangs vertically.

When to see this species

It flies from June to December but it is easier to be seen in September and October, when it comes to specific paces for mating.

Where to see this species

This species appears erratically and it is rare in the province. There are only few spots where the young can be seen on a regular basis. It has been spotted only on stage 4 along the Great Málaga Path, at the spot where it gets to Nerja by following the River Chillar. It is likely to be seen on many of the stages, above all, from stage 5 to 13 and 20 to 34, but only very occasionally.

Similar species

Above all Aeshna mixta.

Conservation status

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