Azure Hawker

Found flying near boggy pools in moorland.

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

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

Scotland only.

Widespread in the Highlands but rarely abundant.

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.

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

• Length: 62mm
• Eyes touch just at the top of the head.
• Brown costa (leading wing vein).
• Narrow stripes on the sides of the thorax.
• Males: blue eyes. Extensive blue markings on the abdomen.
• Females: brown eyes. Occurs in two colour forms: brown or blue.

Hawkers have a long streamlined body-shape.

34-39mm.

Only other similar species found in the same habitat is Common Hawker, which is much larger.