The Norfolk Hawker by Enmos

Photography • Macro • posted on Jun 13, 2005

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Description

Thanks for viewing !! :o) -- Norfolk Hawker, Aeshna isosceles. The male and female are very similar in appearance and the species derives its scientific name from the yellow triangular mark which is located on the second abdominal segment. A. isosceles can be separated from the commoner Brown hawker by its clear untinted wings and green eyes. The Norfolk Hawker emerges much earlier than the Brown Hawker, although there is an overlap in July and early August. During June Hairy dragonflies are generally the only other hawkers encountered on the wing. The dark abdomen marked with blue or yellow spots of this species and its smaller size make it very different from the Norfolk Hawker. Thus, identification of both species is relatively easy. Trees and bushes are needed close to breeding sites, as they provide the adults with hunting routes and resting places over night or during bad weather. Favoured water bodies also have rushes or flags along their margins providing shelter and daytime resting sites. A. isosceles hawks less and settles more frequently than other hawkers and consequently territorial males have a higher population density than other Aeshnids. After mating females lay their eggs alone, almost exclusively favouring the leaves and flowers stalks of Water soldier and occasionally Frogbit or organic debris. The larvae probably take 2 years to develop and although little is known about the larval habitats it is thought that they survive best in association with Water soldier. During emergence, the insects use a variety of marginal plants, although, most emerge on water soldier leaves. Norfolk Hawkers usually begin to emerge in late May and they are on the wing until mid August. This species is quite rare but may be locally abundant. Hope you like & have a wonderful monday !! :o) - Thanks for all your wonderful comments on my last upload, "By request & Crashed Dragon" !! -- Many thanks, Jeroen

Comments (49)

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Chaos911

3:19PM | Mon, 13 June 2005

amazingly done, s u p e r WORK!!!! :)

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maggiemai

4:01PM | Mon, 13 June 2005

He is scary looking to me but an incredible shot as always! Amazing clarity and color... just a beautiful picture. I enjoy reading all about them too! Thank you for the information. :-) You might notice an unusual bug in my gallery uploaded recently...hehehe I hope you like it...it is just a small gesture of thanks for showing me how it SHOULD be done. :-) smiles