Austroaeschna pulchra - Forest Darner

Male identification: Large, red-brown dragonfly with very distinct yellow to greenish-yellow pale markings. Top of thorax has a single long straight pale stripe on each side of centre with a small adjascent spot at distal end. Side of thorax has a long stripe with large spot at end on the mesokatepisternum and a third thoracic stripe lower down. Thus the thorax has three parallel stripes when viewed from the side. Two small spots and a larger triangular spot distally in the area between the lower two stripes. The abdomen has a large pair of very distinctive and well separated round pale spots set in a dark background at the anterior end of segments 3,4,5,6,7 and 8. When viewed from the side the overall effect is a series of six large evenly separated large spots, with no smaller markings to distract from this startling effect. Segment 10 with a low rounded cone, and rather short anal appendages. Top half of postclypeus pale, a short band reaches on top of frons from each side without meeting, labrum yellow divided into halves by a centre line. Postgenae dark, white spot in centre of occipital triangle.

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

Similar species: A very distinctive Darner unlikely to be confused with any other species. Combination of red-brown colouration and patterning of thorax and face similar to both Notoaeschna and Spinaeschna, but the simplified large spot patterning of the abdomen is diagnostic.

Behaviour: Strong flight, often low over water.

Distribution: Distributed mainly in central and eastern Victoria. Mainly found at mid-altitude between about 400-1000m.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: Appears to prefer stoney-bottomed rivers in relatively well forested areas where vegetation shades the bankside. Tolerates some artifical / muddy substrate and unlike some other upland Austroaeschnas, larvae do not inhabit timber.

Status: Uncommon and localised.

Flight period: January to March