Brachytron is a monotypic genus of European dragonfly of the family Aeshnidae containing the hairy dragonfly (Brachytron pratense), also known as the hairy hawker or spring hawker.[4]
The hairy dragonfly is named for its hairy thorax, distinguishing it from other hawkers. It has a long, narrow pterostigma[5] (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.[6]
Habitatedit
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 habitatsedit
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 stagesedit
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.
Notesedit
Hairy dragonfly: Dumfries and Galloway Local Species Action Plan. 7 Mar. 2008. Dumfries and Galloway Council[permanent dead link]
Referencesedit
^Boudot, J.-P. (2014). "Brachytron pratense". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T165514A19156286. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T165514A19156286.en. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
^Brian Nelson; Robert Thompson (2004). The Natural History of Ireland's Dragonflies. Ulster Museum. ISBN978-0-900761-45-4.
^Nelson, B.; C. Morrow & R. Thompson. "Brachytron pratense". National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland and Environment and Heritage Service. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
hairy, dragonfly, brachytron, monotypic, genus, european, dragonfly, family, aeshnidae, containing, hairy, dragonfly, brachytron, pratense, also, known, hairy, hawker, spring, hawker, male, ireland, conservation, status, least, concern, iucn, scientific, class. Brachytron is a monotypic genus of European dragonfly of the family Aeshnidae containing the hairy dragonfly Brachytron pratense also known as the hairy hawker or spring hawker 4 Hairy dragonfly male Ireland Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Insecta Order Odonata Infraorder Anisoptera Family Aeshnidae Genus BrachytronEvans 1845 2 3 Species B pratense Binomial name Brachytron pratense Muller 1764 male eating a bee in Estonia Contents 1 Description 2 Habitat 3 Food and feeding habitats 4 Life stages 5 Notes 6 References 7 External linksDescription editThe hairy dragonfly is named for its hairy thorax distinguishing it from other hawkers It has a long narrow pterostigma 5 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 6 Habitat editThe 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 editLike 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 editThe 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 editHairy dragonfly LWT Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust 25 Feb 2008 Hairy dragonfly Dumfries and Galloway Local Species Action Plan 7 Mar 2008 Dumfries and Galloway Council permanent dead link References edit Boudot J P 2014 Brachytron pratense IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014 e T165514A19156286 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2014 1 RLTS T165514A19156286 en Retrieved 2023 05 02 Brachytron BioLib Dragonflies Dutch Dragonflies Brian Nelson Robert Thompson 2004 The Natural History of Ireland s Dragonflies Ulster Museum ISBN 978 0 900761 45 4 Nelson B C Morrow amp R Thompson Brachytron pratense National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland and Environment and Heritage Service Retrieved 2010 05 24 Hairy Dragonfly British Dragonfly Society Retrieved 2011 05 27 External links editHairy dragonfly LWT Hairy dragonfly Dumfries and Galloway Local Species Action Plan permanent dead link This article related to Aeshnidae is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Hairy dragonfly amp oldid 1206846429, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
