''Brachytron'' is a
monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unisp ...
genus of European
dragonfly
A dragonfly is a flying insect belonging to the infraorder Anisoptera below the order Odonata. About 3,000 extant species of dragonflies are known. Most are tropical, with fewer species in temperate regions. Loss of wetland habitat threat ...
of the family
Aeshnidae
Aeshnidae, also called aeshnids, hawkers, or darners, is a family of dragonflies, found nearly worldwide, with more than 50 genera and over 450 species.
The family includes some of the largest dragonflies.
Description
Common worldwide or nearl ...
containing the hairy dragonfly (''Brachytron pratense''), also known as the hairy hawker or spring hawker. It is found in Europe and Asia Minor, as far east as the
Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body of water, described as the List of lakes by area, world's largest lake and usually referred to as a full-fledged sea. An endorheic basin, it lies between Europe and Asia: east of the Caucasus, ...
. With a typical length of around it resides close to water bodies containing plants and has a flight season running from May to July.
Description
The hairy dragonfly is named for its hairy
thorax
The thorax (: thoraces or thoraxes) or chest is a part of the anatomy of mammals and other tetrapod animals located between the neck and the abdomen.
In insects, crustaceans, and the extinct trilobites, the thorax is one of the three main di ...
, distinguishing it from other hawkers. It has a long, narrow
pterostigma
The pterostigma (plural: pterostigmata) is a group of specialized cells in the outer wings of insects, which are often thickened or coloured, and thus stand out from other cells. It is particularly noticeable in dragonflies, but present also in ...
(the coloured, sclerotized patch on the outer region of each wing).
The antehumeral stripes are usually thin and green. The hairy dragonfly has coupled, oval-shaped markings on its abdomen, blue on males and yellow on females. It is smaller than other species in the genus
Aeshna. It is the United Kingdom's smallest hawker.
[.]
Habitat
The hairy dragonfly lives in ponds, lakes, fens, ditches, and canals rich in vegetation. Some plants that grow there include the common club rush, common reed, great fen sedge, and true bulrush. This dragonfly requires open and sunny areas with dense vegetation for protection. Here they are able to feed on flying insects, shelter, and grow sexually mature.
Although it is a common species, it is susceptible to uncongenial ditch management and poor water conditions. This is the reason the species disappeared for a few years, only to return recently. More so then its other relatives, the hairy dragonfly will only fly in sunshine and will hastily retreat if the sun happens to go in.
Food and feeding habitats
Like typical hawkers, the hairy dragonfly preys in mid-air on flying insects. It then carries its food to a suitable perch where it is able to eat and digest.
Life stages
The hairy dragonfly's flight period is short and early, beginning in mid-May and ending in mid-July. Dead vegetation and living stems growing in the water, close to the water's edge, provide a home for the eggs. Two years later, larvae emerge by scaling plant stems just above the surface of the water or possibly crawling inland for about a meter where they have room to spread their wings.
Notes
Hairy dragonfly. LWT (Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust). 25 Feb 2008Hairy dragonfly: Dumfries and Galloway Local Species Action Plan. 7 Mar. 2008. Dumfries and Galloway Council
References
External links
Hairy dragonfly: LWT
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1471977
Dragonflies of Europe
Aeshnidae
Insects described in 1764