Stats

Lifespan: 1-2 yrs
Size: Large
Diet: Insectivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Freshwater wetland
Range: Southern Europe and Asia
Movement: Flight
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Speed
Status: Uncommon

About

This dragonfly inhabits wetlands and marshes across southern Europe and Asia. It is the only member of its genus that lays eggs in dry mud that only hatch after flooding.

Life cycle

1.
egg
A small egg is laid on or near the larval food source and hatches within days or weeks.
2.
juvenile
An immature insect feeds and molts, growing through successive instars.
3.
subadult
A near-adult insect has wing buds or near-mature form, one molt away from full size.
4.
adult
Fully grown, with full wings and adult coloration.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
Species: Aeshna affinis