Norfolk Hawker – Aeshna isoceles
European common name: Green-eyed Hawker
BDS pronunciation: eesh-na eye-soss-el-lees
The Norfolk Hawker – Aeshna isoceles, is an uncommon and relative newcomer to the region having expanded it’s range recently so that it is no longer restricted to the fen areas of the Norfolk Broads.
Classification:
| Odonata | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Anisoptera | Dragonflies | |
| Aeshnidae | Hawkers |
Large dragonfly, but smaller than the similar Brown Hawker – Aeshna grandis. Emerges early in the season.
Both sexes are similar with a predominately brown body that lacks obvious markings apart from yellow antehumeral patches, but the large and prominent green eyes and dark yellowish frons make this unmistakable, even from a distance. The wings are clear with thin pterostigma and lack the brown tint of the Brown Hawker.
Overall length: 62 – 67 mm
Wings: 39 – 45 mm
Mid-sized Hawker dragonfly, emerging relatively early in the season. It’s bland colouring makes it less likely to be confused with other species.
- Brown Hawker – Aeshna grandis
The Brown Hawker is darker overall and features obvious abdominal spots (blue in the male, yellow in the female). The eyes are brown with blue spots and are less obvious from a distance. The wings have a very distintive amber colour that is noticable at a distance. Usually found later in the year.
Favours still water habitats, with lots of emergent vegetation, ponds and lakes. Often associated with water bodies with large areas of Water-soldier cover.
Expanding it’s range and still a nationally rare and endangered species, but can be locally common.
Reported at Felmersham NR, and the Grange Estate at Willington.
Visible between mid-May and July – an early season dragonfly.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
External links for Norfolk Hawker – Aeshna isosceles:
British Dragonfly Society | Wikipedia
Gallery
