Austrolestes cingulatus - Metallic Ringtail

Male identification: A thin, medium-sized damselfly, characteristically green and gold, or bluish-green and gold. There is a thick pale ring at the base of each abdominal segment except the last three terminal segments, which are all dark - so the abdomen tip is all dark. The pale antehumeral stripe does not cross the mesopleural suture. The full forward half of the second abdominal segment is pale.

Female identification: Females are slightly more robust but have similar markings to males. Base colour appears to be gold and glossy green.

Similar species: Most likely to be found in habitat similar to A. psyche, which tends to be blue and black in colour and has a largely black second abdominal segment.

Behaviour: Similar to other Lestids, occupies the edges of standing water. Perches characteristically perpendicular to vegetation stem.

Distribution: Alpine areas and foothills.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: Margins of pools and other still waterbodies, including sphagnum bogs in alpine areas.

Status: Uncommon and localised.

Flight period: October to March.