This species can be easily distinguished by the multicolored upper surface of frons and by the shape and relative lengths of the anal appendages.

Its labium and labrum are golden-yellow and face and frons are greenish yellow and eyes are green, bluish when aged.

A. parthenope has a blue saddle at S2 and S3 which can be seen in flight, which is in contrast to the rest of the abdomen, which is brown.

This species occurs in much of southern and central Europe, including most Mediterranean islands, across Asia to Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and China, and on to North Africa.

This behaviour is not seen in other European hawkers with the exception of Aeshna affinis, although two migrants to Europe, A. ephippiger and A. junius also oviposit in tandem.