Austroargiolestes icteromelas - Common Flatwing

Male identification: A dark-coloured and very dainty damselfy which perches with its wings held flat. The thorax has two striking 'lightning-bolt' markings on the side. Patterning may be variable.

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

Similar species: Very similar to A. calcaris, which appears to be substantially more robust with a stronger flight and bi-coloured eyes.

Behaviour: Commonly perches with wings held flat. Hovers weakly in vegetation at the margins of waterbodies.

Distribution: Common throughout central southern areas of Victoria below about 800m. Most common in foothills between sea level and about 600m.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: Margins of slow-moving water, ponds and lakes.

Status: Common and widespread

Flight period: November to February