Ischnura aurora - Aurora Bluetail

Male identification: Tiny damselfly. Abdomen all red. Bright green lateral markings on thorax, green eyes and very narrow antehumeral stripe. Bright blue tail tip.

Female identification: Tiny, very plain in colour. Lacks male's pale tail tip.

Similar species: Male unmistakeable. Female similar to but much smaller than I. heterosticta. Latter also has distinct postocular spots, obviously bi-coloured eyes and is usually (but not always) greenish in colour.

Behaviour: Very weak flight. Often found near base of standing vegetation. Females quickly gathered up on wind so males often vigorously pursue females to mate. Commonly seen in tandem.

Distribution: Distributed throughout Victoria but most common in lowlands below about 400m.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: Any standing water.

Status: Common and widespread

Flight period: October to May