Hairy Dragonfly

The Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) is a European dragonfly of the family Aeshnidae. It is also known as the Hairy Hawker.

It is among the first of the large dragonflies to emerge each year; adults in Britain are seen from early May to mid July.

It is smaller than the Aeshna species.

It is named after the hairy thorax, a diagnostic feature if seen well.

It also has long thin pterostigmata.

It has paired pear-shaped markings on its abdomen; blue in males, yellow in females, and its antehumeral stripes are narrow and green.