Diplacodes bipunctata - Wandering Percher

Male identification: Orangey-red flattened abdomen with distinct spots along the mid-dorsal line of the abdomen and a few smaller spots along the abdomen sides. Slight yellow bases to the hindwings. Reddish eyes and a red face. Reddish pterostigma. Sides of thorax with two black spots including the metastigma.

Female identification: Brownish-orange abdomen with distinct spots along the mid-dorsal line. Reddish eyes and pale face. Distinct thick pale rectangle along mid-dorsal line of thorax extending down between both sets of wings.

Similar species: Males similar to D. melanopsis, which has black eyes, a dark face and three distinct lines of spots running up the mid-dorsal line and sides of the abdomen. Similar to A. nigrescens which differs by having pairs of dagger-shaped forward-pointing black marks on the abdomen. Females almost identical to both D. haematodes and D. melanopsis.

Behaviour: Relatively quick often flying sorties from perch positions on the top of grass stems.

Distribution: Widespread and common throughout Victoria, mostly below 800m altitude.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: Grassy edges of any standing water.

Status: Common and widespread

Flight period: October to May