Brachytron pratense - Hairy Dragonfly
Male
Female
Pair in mating wheel
Close-up showing the hairy thorax and abdomen
Exuvia (male, top view)
Description
Length: 55mm
The UK's smallest Hawker, emerging before other Hawkers in May.
It has a distinctly hairy thorax (see photos), oval spots on each abdominal segment and a long, thin pterostigma.
The male is dark in appearence and the spots on the abdomen are blue. It has green ante-humeral stripes.
The female has yellow markings and much shorter ante-humeral stripes.
Habitat
Mainly found near unpolluted, well-vegetated water bodies.
Status and Distribution
Uncommon but increasing its range. Now widely scattered through England, Wales and Ireland but rare in Scotland.
Distribution map from the National Biodiversity Network Gateway (opens in new window).
Similar species
Could potentially be confused with other Hawker dragonflies, but its early flight season and relatively small size are good clues to its identity.