Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea)

The Southern Hawker is a large and colorfully adorned dragonfly from the Aeshnidae family, measuring up to 76 mm in length, with a wingspan of about 9 cm. Adult males are recognizable by their black body with strong green spots on the front part and sky-blue spots on the last three abdominal segments. Females are usually black-green without pronounced blue shades.
Its habitat consists primarily of standing waters such as forest ponds, puddles, and garden ponds, but due to its exceptional flying abilities, it is often encountered far from water – along forest edges, in clearings, or even high in the hills. It is an excellent and tireless predator that skillfully hunts flies, mosquitoes, and other small insects in the air.
Hikers often observe it persistently patrolling along forest paths or hovering motionless in the air before darting forward lightning-fast. Unlike many other hawkers, this species is quite curious and sometimes approaches humans to within just a few meters, offering an excellent opportunity to observe its vibrant colors and powerful flight.