Aeshna cyanea (Latrelle, 1805)

Pompilio, Lucia & Mosini, Andrea, 2021, The Odonate fauna of Val Grande National Park (Insecta: Odonata), Fragmenta entomologica 53 (1), pp. 25-42 : 32

9. Aeshna cyanea (Latrelle, 1805)

Conservation and breeding status: LC (EU), LC (IT), LC (MED), B

This eurosibiric lentic species was frequent, being reported in 5 out of 7 study areas (EXP, 2; LPO, 8,9,10; CPB, 13; PDS, 15; LPR, 18) and breeding in three (LPO, 8,9; PDS, 15; LPR, 18), with a further couple of records coming from non-systematic surveys. This dragonfly shows a wide ecological amplitude and can be seen flying from lowlands and valley bottoms up to altitudes in excess of 2000 m, though it is most abundant below 700 m; records become scarcer and isolated at high altitudes. In this study reproduction and metamorphosis were observed up to 1900 m. Breeding was reported also in other sites of the province of VCO, in adjacent Swiss Canton Grisons and in the Natural Park of Maritime Alps ( Pompilio 2012; Pettavino 2015; Wildermuth et al. 2005).

De Marmels & Schiess (1978) observed it at Pian dei Sali; their record was reported by Boano et al. 2007, who described A. cyanea as one of the most widespread and frequent dragonflies of Piedmont, though at the time only one unpublished record was available for VCO. During subsequent surveys A. cyanea occurrence was confirmed in large parts of the province and 4 records were collected in VGNP ( Clemente et al. 2011; Riservato et al. 2014c). During this research another 15 records were collected and this species was confirmed as frequent in the park.