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Common Hawker

(Scientific Name: Aeshna juncea)



Male Aeshna juncea by David Kitching
Male Aeshna juncea by David Kitching.
Female Aeshna juncea by David Kitching
Female Aeshna juncea by David Kitching.
Female Aeshna juncea by David Kitching
Female Aeshna juncea by David Kitching.
Male Aeshna juncea (Close Up) by David Kitching
Male Aeshna juncea (Close Up) by David Kitching.
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Species Information:


Length: 74mm
Flight Period: June to September (occasionally July, October and very early November)

This Hawker has paired spots on each abdominal segment, two broad stripes on the sides of the thorax and the costa is yellow in both sexes.

Male: quite small blue spots on each segment of the abdomen and appears quite dark. The yellow ante-humerals are narrow and eyes are blue.
Female: brown with similar markings to the male but the spots are yellow, or occasionally green or blue (Scotland). The ante-humerals are insignificant or absent and eyes are brownish.



Habitat:


In moorland habitats with acidic pools. Sometimes seen hunting woodland rides at dusk.



Status & Distribution:


Common. Western England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.



Similar Species:


Similar in appearance to other Hawkers. The yellow costa and moorland habitat can help in identification.