Azure Hawker
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Aeshna caerulea m - © Erland R.N. -
Aeshna caerulea m - © Pat Batty -
Aeshna caerulea f - © Dave Ashton -
Aeshna caerulea f ovipositing - © Paul Ashton -
Azure Hawker newly emerged with exuviae
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Description
Length: 62mm
Flight Period: June to September (sometimes also late May)
The eyes of this medium sized Hawker touch for only a short distance. The costa is brown in both sexes.
Male: has extensive blue markings on the abdomen but only narrow stripes on the sides of the thorax. Ante-humerals are short and eyes are blue.
Female: occurs in two colour forms, brown or blue. Ante-humeral stripes are absent and the eyes are brown. The abdominal markings are smaller than in the male, giving the female a darker appearence.
Habitat
Only in Scotland, found flying near boggy pools in moorland. Both sexes settle readily on tree trunks and rocks in cool conditions.
Status & Distribution
Scotland only. Widespread in the Highlands but rarely abundant.
Similar species
Similar in appearence to other Hawkers but, as its range only overlaps that of the Common Hawker, it is unlikely to cause confusion.