Hairy Dragonfly - Brachytron pratense

Photos

Just a single photo so far, but it's a start!

  • Hairy Dragonfly - Brachytron pratense:  A3P3563
    Female ovipositing at Bromham Lake NR
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Main features

Small hawker, aptly named with a hairy thorax and abdomen. Two bright green stripes to the thorax, more yellow in the female, blue (male) or yellow (female) spotted abdomen. Look out for the long thin pterostigma.

Could perhaps be confused with the rather larger Common Hawker - Aeshna juncea, but this doesn't occur in Bedfordshire.

Usually the first dragonfly to emerge each year.

Habitat

Prefers still water habitat, with lots of emergent vegetation, ponds and lakes.

Where to see

Not common, but reported at Felmersham NR, Priory CP, Bromham lake NR and Coronation pit.

Visible between early May and late June - an early season dragonfly.