- Lifespan
- 1 year (as adult dragonfly); nymphs develop over 2–3 years in water
- Size & Weight
- 70–78 mm body length; wingspan 95–110 mm
- Habitat
- Shallow, heavily vegetated ponds, lakes, ditches, and slow-flowing waters with emergent plants like reeds and sedges.
- UK Distribution
- South and central England, becoming rarer northwards; absent from Scotland and northern regions. Summer resident, present June to October, with occasional overwintering individuals.
- Diet
- Carnivorous; hunts flying insects in mid-air using powerful flight and exceptional vision.
- Prey
- Small flying insects including mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and smaller dragonflies
- Predators
- Robber flies, larger dragonfly species, birds (hobby falcons, kestrels), and fish predating nymphs
- Mating Season
- June to September
- Breeding
- Females lay eggs singly into wet vegetation or water plants; nymphs are aquatic, taking 2–3 years to develop through multiple instars before emerging as adults.
- Behaviour
- Brown Hawkers are powerful, solitary hunters that patrol water margins and vegetation in a distinctive low, bouncing flight. Males are highly territorial, defending stretches of water against rivals with aggressive aerial chases. They have excellent vision and can catch prey mid-flight with remarkable agility.