Aeshna cyanea - Southern Hawker
Male
Close up of head and thorax of newly emerged (teneral) specimen
Female
Female ovipositing
Male in flight
Female in flight with butterfly prey
Pair in mating wheel
Newly emerged adult and exuviae
Exuvia (male, top view)
Description
Length: 70mm
A large, inquisitive Hawker usually seen individually.
It may fly quite close to investigate observers.
The spots on segments S8-10 are joined, unlike other Hawkers.
The ante-humeral stripes are broad and strongly coloured
The costa is dark and there is an elongated triangular mark on S2.
The male is brightly maked on a dark background, usually apple green except for S8-10, which are pale blue.
Occasionally, all pale blue marked individuals are seen.
The female is brown with bright geen markings.
Habitat
Breeds in water line vegetation in well-vegetated, small ponds, often in garden ponds.
Hunts well away from water and may be found hawking woodland rides well into the evening.
Status and Distribution
Very common in southern and central England and Wales, more local elsewhere (vagrant only to Ireland).
Distribution map from the National Biodiversity Network Gateway (opens in new window).
Similar species
Similar in appearence to other Hawkers but the bands on S9 and S10 and the broad ante-humerals are distinctive.