Dendroaeschna conspersa - Wide-faced Darner

Male identification: Large red-brown dragonfly with pale yellow markings. Top of thorax has an extremely short humeral or elongated spot each side of centre with four spots distally in a square. Side of thorax has dozen or so spots of differing shapes and sizes, the two largest being roughly circular and adjacent to the legs. The dorsal surface of the abdomenal segments 3,4,5,6,7 and 8, have a pair of widely spaced small spots that decrease in size from 3 to 8. These same segments also have a close pair of small spots in the centre which increase in size from 3 to 8. Sides of abdomen with a pair of spots at anterior end. The overall effect of spots on thorax and abdomen is rather random with no obvious pattern. Segments 9 and 10 are noticeably narrower than 4,5,6,7 and 8, with no markings on dorsal surface. Anal appendages just under twice length of segment 10 and concave. Face has extremely wide uniquely structured frons with a prominant white side spot next to the eye. Labium also white. Occipital triangle has a small yellow spot in centre.

Female identification: Markings same as male, identified by thicker abdomen and no long anal appendages.

Similar species: A very unique red-brown darner that lacks stripes and appears scattered with spots. Frons very wide and uniquely structured. Unlikely to be confused with any other dragonfly in our region.

Behaviour: No information at present

Distribution: Larvae were collected in northern Victoria in the late 1980s but not recorded since. May be edge-of-range in the State.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: No information at present

Status: Rare and localised.

Flight period: No information at present