Azure hawker

Azure hawker
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Family:	Aeshnidae
Genus:	Aeshna
Species:	A. caerulea
Binomial name
	Aeshna caerulea; (Strøm, 1783)

The azure hawker (Aeshna caerulea) is one of the smaller species of hawker dragonflies, (family Aeshnidae). The flight period is from late May to August

It is about 62 mm long. Both sexes have azure blue spots on each abdominal segment and the thorax also has azure markings. The markings on the male are brighter and more conspicuous than in the female. The female also has a brown colour form.[2]

This species flies in sunshine, and will also bask on stones or tree trunks. It shelters in heather or similar low vegetation in dull weather. Unique to this species is that the blue of the male pales to a more grey colour at lower temperatures.[3]

The species is widespread in the Eurasian polar region.[1] In Great Britain, the azure hawker occurs only in Scotland.[2]

References

Clausnitzer, V. (2009). "Aeshna caerulea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2009: e.T158688A5254339. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009-2.RLTS.T158688A5254339.en.
"Azure Hawker". British Dragonfly Society. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
Willet, Jonathan (April 2013). "The Azure Hawker Aeshna caerulea (Ström)". Journal of the British Dragonfly Society. 29: 5.

External links

British Insects: Odonata

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[IUCN-1] Clausnitzer, V. (2009). "Aeshna caerulea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2009: e.T158688A5254339. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009-2.RLTS.T158688A5254339.en.

[BDS-2] "Azure Hawker". British Dragonfly Society. Retrieved 29 September 2011.

[Willet-3] Willet, Jonathan (April 2013). "The Azure Hawker Aeshna caerulea (Ström)". Journal of the British Dragonfly Society. 29: 5.