SB10 - European Anax

Anax can always be separated from Aeshnas by eye shape and I thought I would start this page with a picture to show clearly the difference. On the left of this picture is Anax ephippiger with rather square eyes and a flat rear margin. On the right is Aeshna mixta with typical round rather forward pointing eyes and a curved rear margin. Easy to see when the specimens are together but not so easy when looked at in isolation.
Anax males have a "process" above the epiproct which helps with identification:
Anax ephippiger (left) Anax imperator (centre) Anax parthenope (right)
process barely visible process longer than wide process wider than long
emphasised in red for clarity
Anax ephippiger (left) Anax imperator (centre) Anax parthenope (right)
process barely visible process longer than wide process wider than long
emphasised in red for clarity