Adversaeschna brevistyla - Blue-spotted Hawker

Male identification: Very large red-brown dragonfly with bold pale-yellow and blue markings. Top of thorax has a greenish-yellow straight stripe either side of centre. Side of thorax has another two parallel stripes, all three stripes being the same distance apart with no other extraneous spots or markings to distract from the striking appearance of these stripes. Dorsal abdomen has a craze of paired pale-yellow spots and shapes along length, with a pair of blue shapes at distal end of segments 2 and 3, and dark bands between segments. Side of abdomen has large pale 'footprint' spots at anterior end of segments 4,5,6,7 and 8. A thick pale-yellow "U" covers most of segment 10 . Anal appendages slightly longer than length of segment 10. Leading veins in the wings are orange. Face and eyes yellow, top of frons with a black T-shape.

Female identification: Markings same as male, except "U" shape on segment 10 extends onto 9, blue spots on segments 2 and 3 of male are yellow on female, and anal appendages are very short. Abdomen is thicker without the pronounced pinching at segment 3 of male.

Similar species: Similar to Darners which are smaller with blue eyes and patterned faces and without distinct blue spots on segments 2 and 3, or orange leading edge to wing. Most likely to be confused with Hemianax which also has a yellow face.

Behaviour: Hawks in open terrain flying relatively slowly at moderate height but capable of rapid bursts of speed. Slightly bouncy flight and wing bursts interdispersed with short glides.

Distribution: Widespread throughout Victoria below about 800m.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: Relatively large lakes and other standing water with tall emergent bankside vegetation. Often seen far from water hawking along forest rides.

Status: Common and widespread

Flight period: October to May. Appears to overwinter in lowland Victoria.