Nature photos - Jesper Bay Jacobsen

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Flora & Fauna (media)

Id:2820

Blue-eyed Hawker (Aeshna affinis) [Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark]

2820    (4 photos)
Blue-eyed Hawker (Aeshna affinis )
Sydlig Mosaikguldsmed (dk)   Esna Zafiro (es)   Klarblå Mosaikslända (se)

2024-06-27    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago. ♀. Svenskeholmvej øst.

UPDATE: CORRECTED TO A POSITIVE Blue-eyed Hawker because the thorax pattern fits it very well, and the general appearance and the fact that there have been several observations around. It would after all be much more of a sensation to find a viridis here on the island. So. But I leave the original text, to understand the context.

ORIGINAL:
Blue-eyed Hawker (A. affinis)[Sydlig Mosaikguldsmed] - Green Hawker (A. viridis) [Grøn Mosaikguldsmed] ?

Flying in the open above the road on the border between the forest and open short-grassed fields. No water nearby.

I didn't have time to nail it properly, hoping the photos would do the trick, but they are not good enough for me to id it positively. A female of course with two long appendages and the very visible ovipositor. There are a few markings on the side of the otherwise all green thorax and the proximal segments of the abdomen are very uniformly green, the others becoming more checkered toward the tip. This pattern is good for both Southern Hawker and Green Hawker. Southern would be early in Denmark even for this year and Green would be unexpected since it has never been seen on Amager.

However, Hot weather today with southern winds could undoubtedly have provoked movements from the south, why I would like it best for an affinis; this also because the main flight period in NC Europe is very much ongoing. And Green being a NE European, and more selective, species it is probably less likely to wander like Southern does. [Lars Johansen mentions that he has experienced Green as a wanderer, especially females].

Both Blue Emperor [Stor Kejserguldsmed] and Blue Hawker [Blå Mosaikguldsmed] are excluded based on size, shapes or patterns - it didn't look big in flight.