| Blue Ringtail | |
|---|---|
| Male, Tasmania, Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Suborder: | Zygoptera |
| Family: | Lestidae |
| Genus: | Austrolestes |
| Species: | A. annulosus |
| Binomial name | |
| Austrolestes annulosus Sélys, 1862 |
|
The Blue Ringtail (Austrolestes annulosus) is an Australian damselfly. It is found in most of the continent.
Contents |
The Blue Ringtail was first described by Edmond de Sélys Longchamps in 1862.[1]
The abdomen is 3 cm long.[2] It can easily be confused with C. lyelli or C. billinghursti, but can be differentiated through dorsal patterns. They are a thin, medium-sized damselfly with varying coloration, which depends on maturity and temperature. However most are a striking blue with minimal black markings. Females are slightly more robust than males, and have a black and white/pale blue coloration.
It is widely distributed in most of Australia, except for the northern and northeastern parts.[1] It is active through September to April in still water bodies such as riverine pools, lakes and ponds, including temporary pools.