Aeshna juncea - Common Hawker
Male
Male
Female
Female ovipositing
Mating wheel between a male A. juncea and a female A. cyanea. This is an extremely rare occurence and hadn't been noticed in this photo until it was pointed out by one of our readers. The photo below show the same pair before the wheel was formed.
Mismatched pair in mating wheel. Look carefully at the markings on the last segments of the female. You can see that there are bands rather than spots which confirms the identity as Aeshna cyanea.
Exuvia (male, top view)
Description
Length: 74mm
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.
The male has quite small blue spots on each segment of the abdomen and appears quite dark.
The yellow ante-humerals are narrow and eyes are blue.
The female is 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 and Distribution
Common. Western England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
Distribution map from the National Biodiversity Network Gateway (opens in new window).
Similar species
Similar in appearence to other Hawkers. The yellow costa and moorland habitat can help in identification.