Where to See Azure Hawker

Latin NameAeshna caerulea
Habitat

Found flying near boggy pools in moorland.

Both sexes settle readily on tree trunks and rocks in cool conditions.

Threats
  • Climate change; increasing temperatures and erratic rainfall threaten the species bog pool habitat.
  • Ditch installation and drainage.
  • Peat cutting.
  • Forestation of the uplands.
Status & Distribution

Listed as Vulnerable in the British Odonata Red List 2008.

Found only in Scotland, with a scattered distribution in the Highlands.

Similar Species

Similar in appearance to other Hawkers but its range only overlaps that of the Common Hawker.

Azure Hawker is smaller and has brown costa (leading wing vein) instead of yellow and no yellow markings on the body.

Management
  • Refilling drainage ditches to aid site water retention.
  • Removal of tree growth.
  • Light grazing to maintain open low vegetation.
Species GroupDragonflies
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