Blue ringtail
Species of damselfly
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The blue ringtail (Austrolestes annulosus) is an Australian damselfly.[1] It is found on most of the continent.
| Blue ringtail | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male, Tasmania, Australia | |
 | |
| Female, 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 | |
 | |
Taxonomy
The blue ringtail was first described by Edmond de Sélys Longchamps in 1862.[3]
Description
The abdomen is 3 cm long.[4] It can easily be confused with Coenagrion lyelli or Caliagrion 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.
Distribution and habitat
Gallery
Male
Mating pair
Female wings
Male wings
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