Aeshna affinis (Blue-eyed Hawker/Southern Migrant Hawker)

First encountered by us in 2012 when we found a male on patrol at the Terres de Picodon, one of the premier locations in the Parc Naturel Régional de la Brenne.

Since 2010, they have been recorded in a couple of site on the UK’s south-east coast, including Wat Tyler Country Park in Essex. Aeshna affinis is spreading and is definitely now an established resident.

[If you find distinguishing our Hawkers a little confusing see my comparison charts which should help.]

Id Notes

• side of thorax yellow with fine black markings but males develop blue tinge with age
• short antehumeral stripes
• ♂ bright blue eyes
• ♂ black and blue mosaic abdomen/li>
• ♂ S2 blue with black ‘mask’ marking
• ♀ brown and yellow mosaic abdomen

male

immature male

female

in flight