Aeshna grandis - Brown Hawker
Male
Female
Female(?) in flight
Exuvia (male, top view)
Description
Length: 73mm
A large Hawker with obvious golden brown wings.
Both sexes have strong yellow stripes on the sides of the thorax and no ante-humeral stripes.
The male is chocolate brown with small blue and yellow markings.
It has a noticeable waisted appearence.
The female has small yellow markings and lacks the males waist.
Habitat
Breeds in standing or slow-flowing water laying its eggs in floating or emergent vegetation or timber.
Hunts well away from water and may be found hawking woodland rides well into the evening.
Status and Distribution
Generally common and widespread, though absent from Scotland and some parts of the southwest.
Distribution map from the National Biodiversity Network Gateway (opens in new window).
Similar species
Similar in shape to other Hawkers but the brown wings are a clear guide to its identity.