In last week’s blog I mentioned the first reserve records of hairy dragonfly (and how it got us all rather excited!) and promised more on the subject this week. So, read on for a bit of info about the latest addition to our reserve list....
The hairy dragonfly, or Brachytron pratense, to be scientific is an uncommon species throughout much of the UK, but is thought to be expanding it’s range to the north and west. It is present at our other site, Beckingham Marshes, near Gainsborough, so it is great to now have it at Langford too.
The hairy is our smallest hawker, measuring in at only around 55mm in length. This is a good distinguishing feature to separate it from other hawkers, as is it’s flight period. The hairy dragonfly is the first of the hawkers to emerge, on the wing from April – June. They also have a distinctly long, thin pterostigma (coloured wing segment located along the leading edge of the forewings), unlike other hawkers which show thicker, shorter coloured segments.
They are sexually dimorphic, the males being black in colour with blue spots and the females, black with yellow/green spots. And as the name suggests, this species is indeed hairy – the thorax is covered in short silver.grey coloured hairs, but you will have to get close to see these!
The hairy dragonfly is a species of slow-moving and still waters, with an abundance of emergent vegetation – exactly the type of habitat we have here at Langford!
All sightings have been from the visitor trails near the Beach Hut, so please do look out for these dragonflies and do let us know if you see any.
Male hairy dragonfly. (Photo courtesy of Graham Gamage).
put a few more for you to id lol