Austrolestes annulosus - Blue Ringtail

Male identification: A thin, medium-sized damselfly that varies in colour due to temperature and maturity but most are a strikingly blue with relatively little black markings. The basal half of each abdominal segment is wrapped in blue and this extends down the sides, so on the top there is just a black forward-pointing triangle on each segment. The middle of the second abdominal segment is entirely wrapped by a thick blue band. The antehumeral stripe is confined to the mesanepisternum and does not extend across the mesopleural suture.

Female identification: Females are slightly more robust but have similar markings to males. Base colour appears to be glossy black and very pale blue / white.

Similar species: More heavily marked with blue than any other Lestid. Dorsal patterning should be sufficient to separate this from all similar species. It is most similar to A. leda, which has about two-thirds of each segment coloured black. May be more easily confused with C. lyelli or C. billinghursti.

Behaviour: Settles with a characteristic Lestid pose, with the body perpendicular to the grass stem.

Distribution: Appears to be widespread in lowland areas of Victoria.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: Margins of pools and other still waterbodies.

Status: Common and widespread

Flight period: September to April.