Azure Hawker

Description

Medium-sized Hawker that breeds in bog pools in the Highlands of Scotland.

Male: blue eyes and blue markings on the abdomen.

Female: brown eyes and with either brown or blue markings on the abdomen.

 

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Species GroupDragonflies
Scientific NameAeshna caerulea
Status & Distribution

Listed as Vulnerable in the British Odonata Red List 2008.

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

Habitat

Found flying near boggy pools in moorland.

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

Flight PeriodAzure Hawker
Adult Identification
  • 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.
Larval Information

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.

Threats
  • Climate change; increasing temperatures and erratic rainfall threaten the species bog pool habitat.
  • Ditch installation and drainage.
  • Peat cutting.
  • Forestation of the uplands.
Management
  • Refilling drainage ditches to aid site water retention.
  • Removal of tree growth.
  • Light grazing to maintain open low vegetation.
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.

Similar Species

Common Hawker