Australian Flatwing - Austroargiolestes icteromelas
FAMILY MEGAPODAGRIONIDAE
- Body length 43mm, female
This page contains information and pictures about Australian Flatwing Damselflies that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
The Damselfly
- They have very small antennae but very large compound eyes. Their mouths are very good at biting. Like all other dragonflies and damselflies, they do not use their legs for walking but for capturing other flying insects in the air.
- Female Male
- The Australian Flatwing Damselflies are easily found along the Bulimba Creek and other creeks in Brisbane. We seldom see them near still water ponds. They are usually found near slow running water. They can be found even in mid winter, while most other dragonflies and damselflies can hardly be seen.
- They like to rest within a few meters along the creek. We sometimes find them in large group resting among plants. They perch on leaves, fly a short distance when disturbed. They seem do not worry on our close approach and we can take many close-up pictures without too much trouble.
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- When they are at rest, they held out theirs wings horizontally (first picture). But we can sometimes find some of them rest with wings fold up.
- Damselfly Larvae 20mm
- In the above picture we are not sure if they are the Australian Flatwing Damselfly larvae. But their larvae more or less look like this.
- The Australian Flatwing Damselfly male and female look similar. The above pictures show Australian Flatwings Damselflies mating in wheel position (see Mating Behavior for more information).
The Australian Flatwing Damselflies are also known as Common Australian Flatwings. They are medium in size. Their bodies are long and slender, with a bright metallic blue colour. When they are at rest, unlike most other damselflies, they held out theirs wings horizontally.
The larva uses its tail. the three leaf, to breath in water. Just before the last molting, the larva climb up from the water and emerge from the last molting skin as an adult. The larva is a predator in water preying on small animals such as mosquitoes larva. The adult is a predator in the sky and preying on flying insects.
