Common Hawker
Aeshna juncea
This record describes Aeshna juncea (species). Recorded family: Aeshnidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
This Hawker has paired spots on each abdominal segment, two broad stripes on the sides of the thorax and the costa is yellow in both sexes. The male has quite small blue spots on each segment of the abdomen and appears quite dark. The eyes are blue. The female is brown with similar markings to the male but the spots are yellow or occasionally green or blue (Scotland). The eyes are brownish. The Common Hawker is most often seen hawking over breeding areas and along the edges of woodland but wandering adults can be seen far away from these sites. This is a bog and moorland species breeding in small acid pools. The species is most common in western Britain. No additional images available for this species.
Wikipedia reference for Aeshna juncea: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_hawker.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
The Common Hawker is most often seen hawking over breeding areas and along the edges of woodland but wandering adults can be seen far away from these sites.
Seasonal Activity
Flies from June to October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
This is a bog and moorland species breeding in small acid pools.
Additional species information
Recorded status
The species is most common in western Britain.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Aeshna juncea. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Odonata includes ~6,000 described species of dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects, reaching 36 mph (58 km/h). They can fly in any direction including backward, and hover in place - each wing operates independently.
Ecological role of the group
Dragonflies predate dinosaurs by nearly 100 million years - fossils date to 325 million years ago. The largest dragonfly ancestor, Meganeuropsis permiana (285 mya), had a 75cm wingspan, enabled by atmospheric oxygen levels of 31-35% compared to today's 21%. Dragonflies have a 95% hunting success rate - the highest of any predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Dragonflies are voracious predators that consume hundreds of mosquitoes daily, providing natural pest control worth millions in reduced mosquito-borne disease risk. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Recorded sources for this group: Natural History Museum London, Britannica, fossil record research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Common Hawker (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Hawker
What is Common Hawker?
Common Hawker (Aeshna juncea) is a species in the family Aeshnidae, within the order Odonata.
Where is Common Hawker found?
Habitat: The Common Hawker is most often seen hawking over breeding areas and along the edges of woodland but wandering adults can be seen far away from these sites.
When is Common Hawker active?
Common Hawker: seasonal activity - Flies from June to October..
What is the life cycle of a Common Hawker?
This is a bog and moorland species breeding in small acid pools.