Aeshnidae

• Compound eyes large

• A straight line forms at where the compound eyes converge 

• Abdomen long

• Superior appendages long

• Inner edge of hindwing notched in male, smooth in female (except genus Anax)

• Inner edge of hindwing of both sexes of Anax smooth

• Abdomen generally swollen at segments 1 and 2, in contrast to the abruptly slim segment 3 in male (except Giant River Hawker)

• Saw-like ovipositor in female

• Strong fliers

• Perch vertically on branches or trunks