Austroaeschna subapicalis - Conehead Darner

Male identification: Large dark dragonfly with pale markings. Pale pattern on top of thorax as strongly marked as sides, showing bold antihumerals. Abdomen appears somewhat banded when viewed from a distance with pale mediodorsal patches on segments 3,4,5,6,7,9, other small spots more obvious up close. Pale spots on sides of segments 3,4,5 and 6 join up with mediodorsal patches. Segment 10 with narrow upright dorsal cone. Inferior anal appendage truncate of variable depth and width, posterior margine slightly convex and dorsal tooth some distance from apex.Occipital triangle and postgenae yellow.Hind margine of occipital triangle convex Post clypeus and anterior frons pale forming broad band with two short bands reaching up onto top of frons from each side without meeting . Pair of small spots on centre of anticlypeus. Middle and rear femurs have a substantial pale blaze along distal half.

Female identification: Essentially similar to male. Abdomen is thicker and has more pale patches than male creating a brighter more reticulated appearance. Hind margine of occipital triangle strongly convex and flanked by short rounded lobes of variable shape and size directed backwards.

Similar species: Forms species pair with atrata with which it shares many features. Best separated by the bright antihumeral markings on top of the thorax which are not faint and dark like atrata but as strongly marked as the sides giving an evenly patterned all over appearance. Pale lateral and dorsal markings of abdominal segments 3,4,5 and 6 join up while in atrata they are separated. The femur markings on the middle and rear legs are substantial forming a pale blaze on the distal half whereas atrata only has a spot. Hind margine of occipital triangle convex in both sexes with the female lacking the large flaps of atrata. Face same as atrata except that pale anterior frons margine fractionally broader. Shape of horn on segment 10 of male different shape and orientation to atrata. Inferior appendage shape diagnostic.

Behaviour: Strong flight, often low over water.

Distribution: Appears to be a mainly lowland species, occurring almost as far as the coast and generally below about 400m. Recorded from the base of the Yarra Ranges, the Grampians and the Otway Ranges.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: No information at present

Status: Uncommon and localised.

Flight period: No information at present