Austroaeschna flavomaculata - Alpine Darner

Male identification: Very dark red-brown dragonfly with bold pale yellow markings, smaller than other Darners. Top of thorax has a very short cresent either side of centre with a spot at its distal end. A short humeral stripe is followed closely onto the sides of the thorax by a bent stripe of similar size and an elongated spot. A number of spots also on lower thorax. Abdominal segments 3,4,5,6,7and 8 have a distinctive elongated pair of anterodorsal markings followed immediatly by a pair of spots. Large spots also on sides of segments. Segment 10 has a rounded dorsal cone. Anal appendages 1.5 x segment 10. Two large isolated spots on top of rons, sides of frons pale. Anterior frons unmarked and dark.Upper half of post clypeus pale. Postgenae and occipital triangle black. Distal third of femur dark.

Female identification: Markings same as male, identified by much thicker abdomen and lack of long superior anal appendages.

Similar species: Similar to both multipunctata and parvistigma. Generally more strongly marked than these two. Identified by destinctive dorsal abdomenal patterning of paired elongated markings and smaller size. Also lacks pale anterior frons and yellow spots on femur of parvistigma.

Behaviour: Flies slowly and purposefully low over alpine vegetation and along creek lines.

Distribution: Appears to be confined to high altitude areas, above the winter snowline, usually beyond 1000m.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: Rivers in alpine country.

Status: Uncommon and localised.

Flight period: January to February