Southern hawker dragonfly nymph

Ukwildlifeo · #1 (**permalink**) 26-02-2011, 11:28 AM

Ive already posted this in insect forum, and others of chaser nymphs but hers a pic of one of the big boys, a hawker dragonfly nymph, which is most likely a southern hawker based on the end of abdomen.

Farplace · #2 (**permalink**) 26-02-2011, 11:39 AM

What a fantastic beastie. How big are they?

Ukwildlifeo · #3 (**permalink**) 26-02-2011, 11:54 AM

This chap was cm long. Those of the emperor dragonfly can get longer than 5cm

tom00_uk · #4 (**permalink**) 26-02-2011, 07:19 PM

this reminded me, i was talking with D Smallshire's daughter whilst she was prof reading the latest book and there is to be an application made for apples and then droids to be used as id guides for the field

Ukwildlifeo · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 08:55 PM

Here is an close up

Ukwildlifeo · #6 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom00_uk

this reminded me, i was talking with D Smallshire's daughter whilst she was prof reading the latest book and there is to be an application made for apples and then droids to be used as id guides for the field

Is this a guide for nymphs or adults?

tom00_uk · #7 (**permalink**) 02-03-2011, 09:21 PM

i would think it would cover both but ill double check

eddiedon1973 · #8 (**permalink**) 31-08-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Ive already posted this in insect forum, and others of chaser nymphs but hers a pic of one of the big boys, a hawker dragonfly nymph, which is most likely a southern hawker based on the end of abdomen.

i seen one in my garden the neighbours cat had got a hold of it i have never seen anything like it before i live in glasgow scotland

Ukwildlifeo · #9 (**permalink**) 31-08-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiedon1973

i seen one in my garden the neighbours cat had got a hold of it i have never seen anything like it before i live in glasgow scotland

Poor thing had probably just emerged from the water after spending 2 or 3 years in a pond. Ruddy cats, is nothing safe!

RoyW · #10 (**permalink**) 31-08-2011, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiedon1973

i have never seen anything like it before i live in glasgow scotland

That doesn't really surprise me. Southern Hawkers, and other dragonflies with similar larvae which are likely to breed in garden ponds, aren't particularly common in the north - but like many dragonfly species they are gradually spreading north. It may be that they have only recently started to breed in your area. Common Hawkers have very similar larvae, and are widespread in Scotland, but they aren't likely to be found in garden/urban habitats.