Blue Hawker vs Blue Dasher

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Blue Hawker Blue Dasher
Scientific Name Aeshna caerulea Pachydiplax longipennis
Order Odonata Odonata
Family Aeshnidae Libellulidae
Size 54-64mm 52-58 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe North America, Central America
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Blue Hawker

A small hawker dragonfly with bright blue spots on males and yellow spots on females. It is restricted to high-altitude bogs and moorlands in northern latitudes. It tolerates very cold conditions.

💡

Did You Know?

It breeds in some of the coldest and most inhospitable habitats of any European dragonfly, flying in near-freezing conditions.

Blue Dasher

A medium-sized dragonfly with a powdery blue abdomen and metallic green eyes in males. It is one of the most common dragonflies in North America.

💡

Did You Know?

Blue dashers adopt a distinctive obelisk posture in hot weather, pointing their abdomen straight up at the sun to minimize heat absorption.