ID Dragonfly Please

[alan45]

Can someone please put a name to this dragonfly if it is a dragonfly that is
it had just come out of its case and was drying off.by the side of a pond.
many thanks.

[DavyG]

It looks like a small Hawker and going by the colouration I'd guess either a Hairy or a Brown.

What part of the country was it found in and when?

I'm sure someone who knows a lot more than I do will give a positive ID.

Dave

[alan45]

Thanks Davy the photo was taken in the southwest of scotland
at 11.30am today.

[DavyG]

Thanks for the site info Alan.

Going by that, it may be either a Hairy or an Azure as, according to to the guides I have, Browns don't appear to be found in Scotland and it's a bit early for the other Hawkers.

As far as I can see, Hairys and Azures can both be found in the South West of Scotland.

I'm no expert though, I'm hoping one of the more knowledgeable Wabbers will correctly ID.

Dave

[pete76]

I think it's a Common Hawker, but I'm not an expert!

btw, what's the white stringy stuff on the exuvia? I've seen it before, and noticed it on a damselfly exuvia I found today.

[AshLee]

Originally Posted by pete76

I think it's a Common Hawker, but I'm not an expert!

btw, what's the white stringy stuff on the exuvia? I've seen it before, and noticed it on a damselfly exuvia I found today.

The white stringy things in the exuviae are the old tracheae (breathing tubes). When insects shed their old skin and emerge into an adult they even shed their old breathing tubes.

[alan45]

Thanks for the info guys its much appreciated
it seems to be one of the hawker family
probably a common.
...alan.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by pete76

I think it's a Common Hawker

I would agree with that - a female.

[Fourwings]

Yep, without doubt a female Common Hawker.

[GOW]

Originally Posted by alan45

Can someone please put a name to this dragonfly if it is a dragonfly that is
it had just come out of its case and was drying off.by the side of a pond.
many thanks.

Deborah?