Austrolestes leda - Wandering Ringtail

Male identification: A thin, medium-sized blue and black damselfly. There is a thick pale ring at the base of the abdominal segments, except the last few but the abdomen is pale-tipped. The pale antehumeral stripe only just crosses the mesopleural suture with a very small spot on the mesepimeron. The second abdominal segment is dark with a pale central line that extends up its full length.

Female identification: Females are similarly marked to males but differently coloured. Some are almost black and orange.

Similar species: One of a species pair with A. io and likely to be very difficult to differentiate in some cases. Difference in the marking on the second abdominal segment appears to be reliable. Very orange females may be confused with Nososticta solida.

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

Distribution: Appears to be relatively common north of the dividing range.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: Margins of pools and other still waterbodies. Appears to dominate billabongs in Box-Ironbark forests.

Status: Widespread and localised

Flight period: July to March