Nososticta solida - Orange Threadtail

Male identification: Medium-sized damselfly. Thorax striped longitudinally black and orange/yellow. Yellow humeral stripes on black background very obvious. Head black with bold white stripe running across face, eyes dark chestnut. Abdomen predominently black with white spot at tip. Yellowish suffusion at base of wings develops with age.

Female identification: Pattern same as male but colour varies. Some are as bright as males and others duller and browner.

Similar species: Distinctive damselfly unlikely to be confused with other Victorian species. Beware some subadult or female Austrolestes can appear orange/brown before attaining adult colouration. Confusion with female A. leda is possible.

Behaviour: Perches obviously in a sunlit position typically on a flat leaf surface. Found singly defending a small territory but has been noted in a small active group of half a dozen individuals late in the day.

Distribution: Lowland areas of eastern Victoria north and south of the Dividing Range at altitudes less than 400m.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: Bankside vegetation with overhanging trees providing filtered light, and abundant shrubs and sedges. Rarely seen out over open water.

Status: Common and localised

Flight period: December to February