Taxonomy
Aeshna juncea | Common Hawker | Seabhcaí an Phortaigh
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Ireland: Least Concern
EU: Least Concern
Widespread throughout Ireland.
Native status
Native
Species Biology
Identification
Length: 7.4cm
Wingspan: 95mm
Generally quite dark in colour. Males have paired pale, blue dots on each segment of the abdomen with smaller yellow marks. They have broad yellow stripes either side of the thorax and dark blue eyes. Costa (top, outer “leading”) vein on wings is yellow in both sexes. Rest of the wing is clear, sometimes a brown tinge in female wings. Female has yellow or greenish dots along abdomen and brownish eyes.
Males and females have different coloured bodies.
Adult habitat & habits
Fast and powerful fliers. This species is wary and consequently difficult to approach. Males are quite active, rarely spend time perching. Both sexes can be seen flying high into tree canopies to hunt.
Habitat
Flight period
June to October (occasionally May and/or November)
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
The Common Hawker is widespread throughout Ireland but most
abundant in the midlands and the west. They can occur from sea level to 500m
above. Less abundant in the east due to lack of habitat.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2023
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.