| Brown Hawker | |
|---|---|
| Male A. grandis | |
| Female A. grandis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Family: | Aeshnidae |
| Genus: | Aeshna |
| Species: | A. grandis |
| Binomial name | |
| Aeshna grandis (Linnaeus, 1758) |
|
The Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis) is a large dragonfly about 73 millimetres (2.9 in) long. It is a distinctive species and is easily recognised, even in flight, by its brown body and bronze wings. At rest, blue spots on the second and third segments of the male's abdomen can be noticed; these are absent in female.
It is widespread in England but commonest in the South East; local in Ireland and rare in Scotland. It is found on well-vegetated ponds, lakes and canals. It patrols a regular hunting territory around margins which is vigorously defended against intruders.
The flight time is mainly July to September. The nymph has stripes on the side of the thorax and distinct banding on the legs.