Common Hawker
Aeshna juncea
As a species of upland, moorland and heath requiring acidic oligotrophic waters in which to breed, this will never be a common species in eastern England, and is a rare species for the county.
Separation from the similar Migrant Hawker is by brighter spots on the body, (blue in the male, yellowish in the female), thin yellow antehumeral stripes (male only) and perhaps most distinctly when a good view is afforded, the bright yellow costa, the top wing vein. The separate spots on the end of the abdomen and thin or absent antehumeral stripes immediately separate it from Southern Hawker. There is also no evidence of a triangular mark on the second abdominal segment. Occasional overlaps in flight period with the Hairy Dragonfly may occur, when the larger size of grandis, its bright yellow costa, no dot on the first abdominal segment and lack of thoracic hair should assist identification.
It was probably once more widespread than it is today, but with the dramatic loss of over 80 percent of lowland heath habitat in the county through aforestation and agriculture since 1920 it is now a rare insect. Its stronghold is concentrated on the peatlands of Crowle Waste / Isle of Axholme area, with fragile remnant colonies hanging on in small areas of the South West Lincoln and Woodhall Spa heaths.
The typical flight period is from late June to early October.
Distribution map
Male
Female
