Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea)

Size: - Approximate Length 70mm Wing Span 100mm.

Male: - Can appear predominantly blue in flight due to their blue flanked abdomen. At rest males are clearly brown, green and blue. The green tends towards the yellow end of the spectrum. There are two broad stripes on the upper brown surface of the thorax. There is a large green triangle on the upper surface of the second abdominal segment. It is the only British resident Aeshna species that has undivided blue stripes on abdominal segments nine & ten.

This narrative was kindly written and supplied by Mr Ken Crick

All Photography by Chris Brooks

Click on the thumb-nails to enlarge the images.

Female: - The female is more heavily built than the male, yellowish green replaces the males blue. The undivided stripes on abdominal segments nine & ten remain diagnostic.

Status: - Predominantly located in the UK south of the Humber.

Habitat: -Very small ponds can support surprisingly large numbers of larvae. They are found on ponds, lakes, canals and ditches. Favouring stagnant, small and shaded water bodies.

Flight period: - Mid July to mid September.

General: - Hawks along shady rides, is very inquisitive and will approach and inspect an observer that has entered its hawking territory. Males are territorial, some ponds are held by a single male, in contrast to the large number of larvae found in the water.

Males hold territory for a limited period in the day, before giving way to another. Both sexes hunt until dusk & have been seen apparently hawking in light rain.

Copulation takes place away from the water and can take up to two hours. Females egg-lay alone into water side vegetation, rotting dead wood, mosses and the damp bank side soil.

Emerging Southern Hawker larvae can be found on almost any surface including concrete.