Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense)

OTHER NAMES: Hairy Hawker, Spring Hawker
Latin Etymology: Brachytron (?) pratense ("meadow")

Adult female Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) at Crossness, London - May 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 5.5cm  /  Wingspan: ?
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The smallest hawker dragonfly in the UK, and one belonging to it's own monotypic genus.  It is one of the first dragonfly species to emerge in the UK, first appearing in May, and it's range is increasing Northwards, potentially as a consequence of Climate Change.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Brachytron
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A resident of Sourthern Britain, expanding it's range

 - Seen at Crossness in May 2019

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta)

OTHER NAMES: Autumn Hawker

Latin Etymology: Aeshna (?) mixta ("mixed")

Adult Migrant Hawker (subspecies A. m. mixta) at Elmley Marshes, Kent - September 2012

Featured Subspecies: Aeshna mixta mixta
Length: 63mm  /  Wingspan: 87mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A bit less common than some of the other similar looking dragonfly species found in the UK, the migrant hawker only took up residence in the UK in the 20th Century, possibly as temperature have increased, and has slowly been expanding Northwards, reaching Ireland and the Isle of Mann since the beginning of the 21st Century.  This individual was seen near the edge of Elmley Marshes, heading along the Swale back towards Faversham.  The best identifying feature is the "golf-tee" shaped marking just behind the wings, which no other species in the UK has.

Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
SUBSPECIES: A. m. mixta, A. m. soneharai

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A resident species to the South of England which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Elmley Marshes.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis)

OTHER NAMES: Hairy Dragonfly, Spring Hawker, Amber-winged Hawker

Latin Etymology: Aeshna (?) grandis ("large")

Adult Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis) at Peterborough - Summer 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Length: 73mm  /  Wingspan: 102mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Probably just about the easiest British Dragonfly to identify in the field - even in flight its rust-bronze wings are distinctive, along with its similarly coloured body and blue or lime green spots.  Found throughout much of Europe, and much of England in particular, I have found this a fairly easy species to see, often patrolling forest ridings, but they seem to be even more flighty than most dragonflies, and thus harder to photograph without something between you and them.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
SUBSPECIES: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington, Brigstock and Wellingborough.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator)

OTHER NAMES: Blue Emperor

Latin Etymology: Anax (?) imperator ("emperor")

Adult Emperor Dragonfly (subspecies A. i. imperator) at Wellingborough, Northants - June 2016

Featured Subspecies: Anax imperator imperator
Length: 76mm  /  Wingspan: 106mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The largest of the British dragonflies, and as such, arguably the most powerful insect predator in the country. Emperor Dragonflies are fairly widespread throughout the Summer months.  As nymphs, they are able to feed on small vertebrates such as tadpoles and small fish, while as adults they are able to take larger insects such as butterflies and smaller dragonfly species.  The female markings seen on this individual are green on females.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Anax
SUBSPECIES: A. i. mauricianus, A. i. imperator

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington and Wellingborough.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea)

OTHER NAMES: Blue Hawker
Latin Etymology: Aeshna (?) cyanea ("cyan")

Adult Southern Hawker Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) at Geddington, Northants - August 2009

Featured Subspecies: ?
Length: 70mm  /  Wingspan: 85-110mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Southern Hawkers are one of the larger common species of dragonfly found in the UK, they are found over slow moving or still water and can often be found in woodland, as with this one.  While common over much of Europe, the North African population is considered Endangered.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata 
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
SUBSPECIES: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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Variable darner (Aeshna interrupta)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Aeshna (?) interrupta ("broken")

Adult male Variable Darner (Aeshna interrupta) at Watson Lake, Yukon, Canada - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: Aeshna interrupta lineata
Weight: ?  /  Length: 7cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

A large and widespread species of dragonfly associated with grassland ponds and bogs. They have a wide distribution over the Northern United States and Canada with a flight time of June to October. They are fearsome predators at all life stages and will take anything smaller than them including vertberates like small fish and tadpoles in their nymph stage.  

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
SUBSPECIES: A. i. interna, A. i. interrupta, A. i. lineata

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA - Widespread
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Yukon

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Lake Darner (Aeshna eremita)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Aeshna (possibly from "spear") eremita ("hermit")

Adult Lake Darner (Aeshna eremita) )at Anchorage, Alaska - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: ?  /  Length: 7.5cm  /  Wingspan: 15cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The largest "darner" dragonfly of North America, found in the Northern of the Lower 48 through to Canada and Alaska. This species prefers a slightly more wooded habitat that many dragonfly species which matches where I saw it in a forested clearing in Anchorage. It is closely related to the Canada Darner but it's range extends much further North.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Present in Alaska, Canada and Northern States of Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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