Austrolestes psyche - Cup Ringtail

Male identification: A thin, medium-sized blue and black damselfly. There is a pale ring at the base of each abdominal segment except the last three terminal segments and the abdomen tip is dark. The pale antehumeral stripe does not cross the mesopleural suture. The second abdominal segment is all dark above.

Female identification: Females are likely to have similar markings to males but paler in colour.

Similar species: Markings are most similar to A. cingulatus, which tends to be bluish-green and gold, rather than blue and black. The two species are found in the same habitat in upland areas.

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

Distribution: Appears to be found locally in alpine areas. Also recorded on the Mornington Peninsula.

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: January to February