Aeshna cyanea (Blue/Southern Hawker) for ID confirmation please

[Purplepixii]

Hiya

Recently I've been "buzzed" by a dragonfly in the garden and today it landed on the mossy stones around the pond to lay eggs.

1 hour (and 980 photo's later!) I think it is a Southern Hawker but would like confirmation please. Hopefully there's enough info for ID from these 3 photo's but I have more if required

Cheers
Sarah

[aeshna5]

Yes, ovipositing A. cyanea.

They are very inquisitive insects coming right up to you.

[Purplepixii]

Thanks for the fast reply Aesha

It was very happy for me to take photo's for an hour and even moved around on the spot to show me all angles!

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Purplepixii

Thanks for the fast reply Aesha

It was very happy for me to take photo's for an hour and even moved around on the spot to show me all angles!

Hopefully you'll get quite a few nymphs which usually take a couple of years to develop. This species does like to use small garden ponds.

It's great to have that intimate relationship with such an exquisite insect.

[Purplepixii]

The mossy stone that it oviposited on is by the main pond which has fish in it. Do I leave it alone or move the stone next to the wildlife pond (which currently has lots of mosquito larvae in)?

I don't want to interfere with nature too much but it's not the dragonfly's fault it laid by the "wrong" pond

Btw, I've uploaded more photo's to my website (instead of loading them all up in 2 places) if you're interested - just follow the link in my signature

Sarah

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Purplepixii

The mossy stone that it oviposited on is by the main pond which has fish in it. Do I leave it alone or move the stone next to the wildlife pond (which currently has lots of mosquito larvae in)?

I don't want to interfere with nature too much but it's not the dragonfly's fault it laid by the "wrong" pond

Btw, I've uploaded more photo's to my website (instead of loading them all up in 2 places) if you're interested - just follow the link in my signature

Sarah

Dilemna that! Normally I leave nature to work things out for themselves; but more would probably survive in the fish free pond, so I'll leave you to make that decision!

[Purplepixii]

It is quite a dilemma. I've read that Dragonfly nymphs will eat tadpoles and the wildlife pond was dug specifically for that reason. If the local frogs have a "special kiss" next year and leave me another load of spawn I will need to transfer it to the wildlife pond or none will survive.

So, dilemma time, move the stones with the dragonfly eggs or not...?

I'm leaning towards actually moving them to give them the best chance for survival (coz I don't think they'd benefit from the fish / UV filter / pump in the main pond)....