Blue ringtail

Blue ringtail
Male, Tasmania, Australia
Female, Tasmania, Australia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Clade:Euarthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Odonata
Suborder:Zygoptera
Family:Lestidae
Genus:Austrolestes
Species: A. annulosus
Binomial name
Austrolestes annulosus
(Sélys, 1862)[2]

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

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. IUCN. 2017: e.T87534133A87539919. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T87534133A87539919.en. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  2. ↑ Selys-Longchamps, E. (1862). "Synopsis des Agrionines, seconde légion: Lestes". Bulletin de la Classe des Science, Academie Royale de Belgique. 2 (in French). 13: 288–338 [332].
  3. 1 2 "Species Austrolestes annulosus (Selys, 1862)". Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. October 9, 2008. 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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