Brown Hawker - Aeshna grandis

Description

This large dragonfly is easily distinguished. Both sexes are a rich brown and have a distinctive golden-brown wings, which is often the most striking character of flying individuals. The male has two small blue spots on segment 2 and blue spots along the sides of the abdomen. Both sexes have yellow thorax stripes which are very bright yellow in males but duller in females.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Breeding in a wide range of habitats ranging from still waters to slow flowing rivers, and frequently encountered in urban areas.

When to see it

June to October.

UK Status

Mainly found in central and southern England.

VC55 Status

The Brown Hawker is the most common and widespread of the Antisoptera (dragonflies) in Leicestershire & Rutland.

Further Information

The Brown Hawker is the most common and widespread of the Antisoptera in VC 55, breeding in a wide range of habitats ranging from still waters to slow flowing rivers. Historic data shows that this has been the case since record collation began in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Brown Hawker Dragonfly, Brown Aeshna, Brown Hawker
Species group:
Dragonflies and Damselflies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Odonata
Family:
Aeshnidae
Records on NatureSpot:
372
First record:
01/01/1992 (Peter Gamble)
Last record:
04/09/2023 (Andrews, Mark)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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