Nannophya australis - Australian Pygmyfly

Male identification: Mature males with blue upper abdomen and thorax. Immature / less mature males with bright orange abdomen with heavy black lattice markings. The top of the thorax has a broad black rectangle and lateral black marks with two indistinct antehumerals between. White face and dark eyes. Abdomen narrows finely at the centre. Abdomen tip very flat and broad.

Female identification: Tiny orange dragonfly with a short thin body, pinched in the centre of the abdomen. Reddish eyes. Large black diamond-shaped spots form bands across the abdomen at each segment. These are joined together by a thin black mid-dorsal line and black lines along the sides of the abdomen. The top of the thorax has a broad black rectangle and lateral black marks with two narrower pale antehumerals between.

Similar species: Could be confused for N. dalei which differs having a more evenly broad and flat abdomen, lacking the heavily pinched centre.

Behaviour: Flies quickly and low amongst vegetation. Readily settles.

Distribution: One record from East Gippsland at Reedy Creek on the Cann River.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: No information at present

Status: Rare and localised.

Flight period: Recorded once in January