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
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
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.

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. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  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.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.