Nannophya dalei - Eastern Pygmyfly

Male identification: Tiny with crimson and heavily flattened abdomen. Pale face and dark eyes. Dark thorax with indistinct pale antehumerals. Slight yellow bases to the wings.

Female identification: Tiny with dark reddish-brown and heavily flattened abdomen. Abdomen with lattice markings: dark central and lateral stripes and dark rings between segment joints. Dark thorax with distinct pale antehumerals. Pale face and dark eyes. Slight yellow bases to wings.

Similar species: Males unmistakeable. Females could be confused for N. australis which differs having an orange-coloured abdomen that is finely pinched at its centre and more pronounced spotting along the mid-dorsal line. More likely to be confused with a small insect such as a wasp.

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

Distribution: Recorded throughout central and eastern Victoria at altitudes from close to sea level up to almost 1600m. Also likely to be throughout southern Victoria, as distributed in South Australia. Likely to be regularly overlooked due to small size.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: Shallow inundation zones or edges of waterbodies with significant emergent vegetation

Status: Common and widespread

Flight period: November to March