Dragonfly id

[aspidistra]

This dragonfly had emerged the previous day. I thought at first it was white but on close inspection it is a very pale blue/violet. Can anyone id it for me?

[Naturenutz]

Hi, Looks like a southern hawker to me .

[earthdragon64]

Newly emerged Dragonflies can be tricky, as often the colours change whilst drying. It's also helpful to know where you saw it, what time of year and habitat as these details can narrow down the possibilities. It's one of the Hawker species, but I'm not sure exactly which one.

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

I would say a female Southern Hawker

neil

[ron1863]

It could also be a Common Hawker but it's difficult to tell at that early stage.

[Phil Whiley]

(Using the Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe by Dijkstra and Lewington). From the "nail" mark on the second segment of the abdomen it looks like either Migrant or Southern. However, the Migrant Hawker only has short stripes on the thorax, and those on the Common Hawker are a bit thinner, so it's more likely a Southern Hawker.

[RoyW]

It is definitely a Southern Hawker - as well as the features mentioned by Phil, Southern Hawker is the only hawker found in Britain that has the 'spots' on the last two abdominal segments joined together to form bars. This one is a female (males have a third appendage at the end of the abdomen).

Roy.

[RobinP]

Sorry to piggyback onto this thread, can someone id this one for me please, I was told it was an Emperor but not sure now:



Thanks in advance

[GuyF]

Yours is a female Southern Hawker too Robin,
Guy

[aspidistra]

Thanks for the id! I'm watching carefully now in case there's any more ready to emerge. I can see one at the water's surface - I'd love to see it emerging from the exuvia.