Procordulia jacksoniensis - Eastern Swamp Emerald

Male identification: A medium-sized dragonfly with a black abdomen, pinched near the base and fringed with orange rectangular-shaped marks. Eyes on mature males are bright green and wings are completely transparent and unmarked.

Female identification: Likely to be similar to male but lacking pinch-point in abdomen and possibly with some brown suffusion in wings.

Similar species: Differs from H. tau and H. australiae by lack of crescent-shaped orange marks curving in over the abdomen.

Behaviour: Flies low over water, hovering stationary for periods and conducting sorties mostly close to the bank but occasionally out across open water. May be seen far from water hawking above head height over bare ground in gardens and parks.

Distribution: Apparently widespread in Victoria but not particularly common. Reported from a range of altitudes from high alpine bogs to coastal wetlands.

Australian State distribution (from CSIRO Entomology)

Habitat: Any standing water.

Status: Uncommon and widespread

Flight period: November to February