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Azure Hawker

(Scientific Name: Aeshna caerulea)



Male Aeshna caerulea by Erland Refling Nielsen
Male Aeshna caerulea by Erland Refling Nielsen.
Male Aeshna caerulea by Pat Batty
Male Aeshna caerulea by Pat Batty.
Female Aeshna caerulea by Dave Ashton
Female Aeshna caerulea by Dave Ashton.
Female Aeshna caerulea Ovipositing by Paul Ashton
Female Aeshna caerulea Ovipositing by Paul Ashton.
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Species Information:


Length: 62mm
Flight Period: June to September (occasionally also late May)

The eyes of this medium sized Hawker touch for only a short distance. The costa is brown in both sexes.

Male: has extensive blue markings on the abdomen but only narrow stripes on the sides of the thorax. Ante-humerals are short and eyes are blue.
Female: occurs in two colour forms, brown or blue. Ante-humeral stripes are absent and the eyes are brown. The abdominal markings are smaller than in the male, giving the female a darker appearance.



Habitat:


Only in Scotland, found flying near boggy pools in moorland. Both sexes settle readily on tree trunks and rocks in cool conditions.



Status & Distribution:


Scotland only. Widespread in the Highlands but rarely abundant.



Similar Species:


Similar in appearance to other Hawkers but, as its range only overlaps that of the Common Hawker, it is unlikely to cause confusion.
Female Aeshna juncea by David Kitching

Aeshna juncea

Common Hawker