Aeshna caerulea

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Protostomia
Cladus: Ecdysozoa
Cladus: Panarthropoda
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Classis: Insecta
Cladus: Dicondylia
Subclassis: Pterygota
Cladus: Metapterygota
Cladus: Odonatoptera
Cladus: Holodonata
Ordo: Odonata
Subordo: Epiprocta
Infraordo: Anisoptera
Superfamilia: Aeshnoidea

Familia: Aeshnidae
Subfamilia: Aeshninae
Tribus: Aeshnini
Genus: Aeshna
Species: Aeshna caerulea
Name

Aeshna caerulea (Ström, 1783)
Synonyms

Libellula caerulea Ström, 1783
Libellula squamata Müller, 1764
Aeshna borealis Zetterstedt, 1840

References
Links

IUCN: Aeshna caerulea (Least Concern)

Vernacular names
Deutsch: Alpen-Mosaikjungfer
English: Azure Hawker
suomi: Pohjanukonkorento
français: Æschne azurée
Nederlands: Azuurglazenmaker
norsk: Fjelløyenstikker
polski: Żagnica północna
svenska: Fjällmosaikslända

The azure hawker (Aeshna caerulea) is one of the smaller species of hawker dragonflies, (family Aeshnidae). The flight period is from late May to August

It is about 62 mm long. Both sexes have azure blue spots on each abdominal segment and the thorax also has azure markings. The markings on the male are brighter and more conspicuous than in the female. The female also has a brown colour form.[2]

This species flies in sunshine, and will also bask on stones or tree trunks. It shelters in heather or similar low vegetation in dull weather. Unique to this species is that the blue of the male pales to a more grey colour at lower temperatures.[3]

The species is widespread in the Eurasian polar region.[1] In Great Britain, the azure hawker occurs only in Scotland.[2]
References

Kalkman, V.J. (2020). "Aeshna caerulea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T158688A138474149. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T158688A138474149.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
"Azure Hawker". British Dragonfly Society. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
Willet, Jonathan (April 2013). "The Azure Hawker Aeshna caerulea (Ström)". Journal of the British Dragonfly Society. 29: 5.