Blue ringtail

The blue ringtail (Austrolestes annulosus) is an Australian damselfly.[1] It is found on most of the continent.

Blue ringtail
Male, Tasmania, Australia
Female, Tasmania, Australia

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Lestidae
Genus: Austrolestes
Species:
A. annulosus
Binomial name
Austrolestes annulosus
(Sélys, 1862)[2]

Taxonomy

The blue ringtail was first described by Edmond de Sélys Longchamps in 1862.[3]

Description

The abdomen is 3 cm long.[4] It can easily be confused with Coenagrion lyelli or Caliagrion billinghursti, but can be differentiated through dorsal patterns. They are a thin, medium-sized damselfly with varying coloration, which depends on maturity and temperature. However most are a striking blue with minimal black markings. Females are slightly more robust than males, and have a black and white/pale blue coloration.

Distribution and habitat

It is widely distributed in most of Australia, except for the northern and north-eastern parts.[3] It is active through September to April in still water bodies such as riverine pools, lakes and ponds, including temporary pools.

  • Male
  • Mating pair
  • Female wings
  • Male wings
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References
  1. Dow, R.A. (2017). "Austrolestes annulosus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T87534133A87539919. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T87534133A87539919.en.
  2. Selys-Longchamps, E. (1862). "Synopsis des Agrionines, seconde légion: Lestes". Bulletin de la Classe des Science, Académie Royale de Belgique. 2 (in French). 13: 288–338 [332].
  3. "Species Austrolestes annulosus (Selys, 1862)". Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. October 9, 2008. Archived from the original on April 2, 2011. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  4. Daley, Elizabeth; Daley, Anthony (2007). Wings: an introduction to Tasmania's winged insects. Riffles Pty. Ltd. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-9804006-2-5.
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