Insect · GBIF taxon 1425264
Brown Hawker
Aeshna grandisBrown hawkers are large, powerful dragonflies easily recognized by their distinctive golden-brown wings and warm bronze bodies marked with small blue and yellow highlights. They are swift aerial predators that hunt flying insects over ponds, canals, and woodland edges, often continuing to forage late into the evening dusk. Females lay their eggs directly into submerged decaying wood or aquatic vegetation using a specialized ovipositor.
Aerial PredatorGolden WingsAquatic Larvae
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Mosquitoes
- Midges
- Flies
Predators
- Birds
- Frogs
- Fish
ThreatsLoss of wetland habitats, drainage of breeding ponds, and water pollution
HabitatsPonds, lakes, slow rivers, canals, peat bogs, and sheltered woodland edges
Life span1–2 years (mostly as aquatic nymph; 1–2 months as adult)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAeshnidae
- SpeciesAeshna grandis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation Timing: Look for them patrolling water margins on warm afternoons or hunting near trees at dusk.
- Approach Strategy: Stand still along sunny pond clearings, as adults frequently repeat set patrol routes.
- Flight Identification: Watch for the distinctive golden-bronze sheen of their wings flashing in direct light.
Competitor (c) Ludivine Lamare, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ludivine Lamare · cc-by
Close Relative 
Close Relative Ebertakis / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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