Aeshna larvae - any idea on species? (1 Viewer)

ta brandreth

Well-known member

• Jun 6, 2010

• #1

any ideas on these, guys? - found today in Runcorn;

 

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Brian Bullough

DIGIDOPE

• Jun 6, 2010

• #2

Very much a novice when it comes to Dragonflies, but could this be Hairy Hawker Brachytron pratense, which I have not seen yet.
Brian

 

O

Odonate

Well-known member

• Jun 7, 2010

• #3

The eyes look a bit big for Brachtron and I would suggest an Aeshna. However, I am familiar with the exuviae, not the larvae so could be wrong.

O

 

ta brandreth

Well-known member

• Jun 7, 2010

• #4

I must admit I think it may be a southern hawker, but wondered if anyone can confirm as i have had brown hawker at this site too...

 

busyb

Keith Lugg

• Jun 7, 2010

• #5

In the 2nd edition of "Britain`s Dragonflies" by Smallshire & Swash, the larval ID chart states that Brown Hawker has distinct banding on the legs which is absent on Southern,
However looking at the photos I can`t decide if they`re present or not !!
Over to someone who has had experience of both larva.

 

RoyW

Well-known member

• Jun 7, 2010

• #6

I agree with Odonate that this is an Aeshna species.
I don't think that there is enough detail visible to identify the species. For aeshna larvae it is useful to see the shape of the mask (under the head) and the spines on the rear segments of the abdomen.