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      girraween > animals > arthropods > insects


Dragonflies and Damselflies

Dragonflies and damselflies both belong to the order Odonata. They are very similar in appearance with long, thin bodies, two pairs of net-like transparent wings, large eyes and tiny pointed antennae. Their larvae (nymphs) are aquatic and so, because of this, adults are commonly found near water. Both nymphs and adults are carnivorous and keen hunters. Males and females of the same species usually differ in their colouration.

Dragonflies belong to the suborder Epiprocta. There are 18 Australian families of dragonfly. Most dragonflies are larger than damselflies and they typically rest with their wings held flat, perpendicular to their bodies. Their back wings are also usually broader at the base than their front wings. Dragonflies are some of the fastest flying insects known. One species of Australian dragonfly, Austrophlebia costalis the Southern Giant Darner, was clocked at clocked at nearly 97 kilometres per hour (60 mph).

Damselflies belong to the suborder Zygoptera. Australia has 12 families of damselflies. They are typically smaller and more delicate in appearance than dragonflies, and they are weaker fliers. Their main distinguishing feature is that the wings of most damselflies are held together over their body when at rest. Both pairs of wings on a damselfly are also very similar to each other in size and shape.


We have reproduced here, with the permission of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, a list of Girraween's Odonata species that was the result of an official scientific survey conducted in early 2014. The results were presented in an internal report, which is referenced below.

We have expanded upon this list with other, verified eyewitness accounts. The following list is by no means complete, as there are likely to be species in Girraween not yet recorded.



Dragonflies
 



Adversaeschna brevistyla
Blue-spotted Hawker


Anax papuensis
Australian Emperor


Austroaeschna parvistigma
Swamp Darner
 



Austroaeschna unicornis
Unicorn Darner


Austrogomphus amphiclitus
Pale Hunter


Austrogomphus cornutus
Unicorn Hunter
 



Austrogomphus guerini
Yellow-striped Hunter


Austrogomphus
ochraceus

Jade Hunter


Austrogomphus praeruptus
Twinspot Hunter
 



Choristhemis flavoterminata
Yellow-tipped Tigertail


Cordulephya pygmaea
Common Shutwing


Diplacodes bipunctata
Wandering Percher
 



Diplacodes haematodes
Scarlet Percher


Eusynthemis virgula
Golden Tigertail


Hemicordulia australiae
Australian Emerald
 



Hemicordulia tau
Tau Emerald


Hemigomphus heteroclytus
Stout Vicetail


Orthetrum caledonicum
Blue Skimmer
 



Orthetrum villosovittatum
Fiery Skimmer


Parasynthemis regina
Royal Tigertail


Petalura gigantea
Giant Dragonfly
 



Procordulia jacksoniensis
Eastern Swamp Emerald


Synthemis eustalacta
Swamp Tigertail


Telephlebia godeffroyi
Eastern Evening Darner
 


Damselflies
 



Austroagrion watsoni
Eastern Billabongfly


Austroargiolestes icteromelas
Common Flatwing


Austrolestes cingulatus
Metallic Ringtail
 



Austrolestes leda
Wandering Ringtail


Austrolestes psyche
Cup Ringtail


Diphlebia nymphoides
Arrowhead Rockmaster
 



Ischnura aurora
Aurora Bluetail


Ischnura heterosticta
Common Bluetail


Pseudagrion aureofrons
Gold-fronted Riverdamsel
 



Rhadinosticta simplex
Powdered Wiretail


Synlestes weyersii
Bronze Needle
 



References:
  • C. Burwell, R.Hobson (2015). Odonata Survey – Girraween National Park: January 2015. Personal communication.
  • Hobson R. (2014). Odonata Survey – Girraween National Park: 07th-10th February 2014. Internal Report (unpublished), Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Toowoomba.
  • "Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia, The" by Günther Theischinger and John Hawking; CSIRO Publishing; Collingwood; 2006; ISBN 9780643090736
  • "Field Guide to Insects in Australia, A" by Paul Zborowski and Ross Storey; Reed New Holland (Australia) Pty Ltd; 2nd Edition; 2008; ISBN 9781876334963
  • "Wildlife of Greater Brisbane – A Queensland Museum Wild Guide"; The Queensland Museum, South Brisbane; 2nd Ed; 2007; ISBN 9780977594313
  • Wikipedia – Dragonfly
  • Wikipedia – Damselfly


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Last updated: 17th April 2016