Austrolestes cingulatus at Brogo, NSW

Metallic Ringtail at Brogo, NSW

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Identification history

	Austrolestes cingulatus	3 Feb 2018	MaxCampbell
	Austrolestes cingulatus	3 Feb 2018	MaxCampbell

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Author's notes

Female found in the Themeda grassland in our orchard. There was an Ischnura heterosticta male nearby (Photo 3). My references for ID: The Theischinger and Hawking field guide (pg 35) and http://photos.rnr.id.au/Data/Animals/Insects/Odonata/Austrolestes%20cingulatus.html and http://photos.rnr.id.au/2013/12/18/damselfly_Austrolestes_cingulatus_f_Wingan131218-8304.jpg

4 comments

KerriLee wrote:

3 Feb 2018

Hi Max - I think your male in photo 3 is actually Ischnura heterosticta ... the post-ocular spots are a clue. Did you notice any such spots on the female?

MaxCampbell wrote:

4 Feb 2018

Hi Kerry - You're right! I meant to put Ischnura heterosticta for the male. The brain snap Austrolestes Psyche substitution came about because one of the last photos I looked at on line was of a (suspected) cup ringtail female mating with a metallic ringtail male. (I'll edit my comment.) As for postocular spots; I tried to get a look , but my view in the long grass was too restricted. However I am reasonably confident that she is not an Ischnura heterosticta female - The markings on the thorax are a bit similar, but not the same. ( I have several good common bluetail female photos to compare). She is however a good match to my photo of a metallic ringtail male and online photos of females (See ref in notes.) She also has the characteristic basal pale triangular mark on abdominal tergum 2 and overall metallic colouration.

KerriLee wrote:

4 Feb 2018

I think you can trust your judgement on this Max ... you have made lots of sightings of both species. Also, in line with your thinking, the female Ischnura hetersticta I see are nearly always strongly pruinose.

MaxCampbell wrote:

4 Feb 2018

Hi kerri - Thanks for the vote of confidence. I am reasonably happy with this ID, but as you know, I am relatively new to this particular minefield and I do appreciate your input.

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