Austroargiolestes calcaris - Powdered Flatwing

Male identification: A relatively robust damselfy which perches with its wings held flat. The thorax is usually hairy with a bluish pruinescence. The thorax has several yellow markings on the side. The eyes are distinctly dark above a horizontal mid-line and pale below.

Female identification: Females appear to be similarly marked to males with a proportionately shorter and thicker abdomen and white pterostigma.

Similar species: Very similar to A. icteromelas, which appears to be substantially daintier with a weaker flight and has very different habitat and behaviour (see below).

Behaviour: Commonly perches in the open on boulders and fallen logs, with wings held flat.

Distribution: Mostly eastern Victoria. Appears to be most common above about 400m and is most common at higher altitudes

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: Fast-flowing boulder-strewn and heavily forested creeks, often in association with Diphlebia lestoides.

Status: Uncommon and localised.

Flight period: October to February