A. affinis lacks the yellow T-shaped mark which is found on the top of the second abdomen segment in A. mixta.

In A. affinis the sides of the thorax are greeny yellow with fine black lines along the sutures.

In A. mixta the sides of the thorax are similar in colour but the yellow is separated by dark brown areas so it gives the appearance of having two broad yellow stripes Aeshna affinis is found in southern and central Europe and all around the Mediterranean, in North Africa and the Middle East and across Asia to China.

After emergence the immature adults move away from water and spend a time feeding and becoming sexually mature.

After sperm is transferred the male A. affinis stays with the female for egg laying which is usually in vegetation.