It is widespread in England but commonest in the South East; local in Ireland and absent from Scotland. It is found on well-vegetated ponds, lakes and canals. It patrols a regular hunting territory around margins which is vigorously defended against intruders.
 

Aeshna grandis stands out from other Aeshna dragonflies due to its overall brown colour a touch of which even returns on its wings. This makes the appearance of this dragonfly quite impressive during flight as the slightly darker wings make it look larger.
 
 
 
 

Males are territorial holding territories at water bodies or away from water. Copulation occurs away from water in vegetation. Females oviposit alone placing eggs into wet mud, wet deadwood or aquatic and marginal plants.

Eggs overwinter and hatch in spring. Larvae live amongst submerged water plants or amongst plant debris. Development takes 2-4 years according to locality. Recorded food items include chironomid larvae (up to 50% of diet in some studies), adult flies and Zygoptera from water surface. Larvae can also be cannibalistic. Emergence happens low down on marginal vegetation at night.

Preferred environment are mesotrophic and eutrophic, sheltered lowland lakes and ponds. Also canals and flooded disused gravel pits. Flight period from end of June to the end of October.