Red and blue damsel

A red and blue damsel has a bright red face and thorax.^[7] Its abdomen is pale in colour^[7] and 2.2-2.4 cm long.^[8] Females and males are similar in colour.^[7]

The red and blue damsel is widespread across all Australian states,^[8] as well as Fiji, New Caledonia, and other islands in the Pacific.^[9] It is found in north and eastern Tasmania. It is typically found near dams, marshes and slow watercourses.^[8]

The genus name Xanthagrion is derived from the Greek ξανθός (xanthos, "yellow") and Agrion, a genus name derived from the Greek ἄγριος (agrios, "wild"). Agrion was the name applied by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775 to all damselflies.^[2][10]

The species name erythroneurum is derived from the Greek ἐρυθρός (erythros, "red") and νεῦρον (neuron, "nerve" or "sinew"), referring to the colour of the major wing veins.^[3][10]

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  Mating I. The male holds the female behind her head.
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  Mating II. The male pushes the female under the water.
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  Mating III. The female is completely under the water. Both male and female dragonflies go under.
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  Male
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  Female wings
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  Male wings