Hemianax papuensis - Australian Emperor

Male identification: Very large dragonfly with complex yellow and black markings. Thorax with very diffuse markings appears plain and greenish grey, a small black ringed yellow spot near legs. Abdomen yellow with a craze of black lines giving a mosaic effect. Segments 9 and 10 predominantly yellow with black dorsal line, appears more yellow than rest of abdomen when veiwed from a distance. Face and eyes yellow with black anticlypeus and lower half of labrum, frons with a black T-shape mark on top. Leading veins on the wings are yellow.

Female identification: Very similar to male. Abdomen slightly thicker especially at segments 3 and 4. Segment 10 much shorter than male.

Similar species: A distinctive very large dragonfly unlikely to be confused with any other species when seen well. A. brevistyla similar large size.

Behaviour: Hawks in open terrain flying relatively slowly at moderate height but capable of rapid bursts of speed. Slightly bouncy flight and wing bursts interdispersed with short glides.

Distribution: Widespread throughout Victorian lowlands below about 600m but also recorded at altitude above about 1200m. Split distribution probably due to preference for habitats that are not closed by forest.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: Relatively large lakes and other standing water with tall emergent bankside vegetation. Often seen far from water hawking along forest rides.

Status: Common and widespread

Flight period: September to May. Appears to overwinter in lowland Victoria.