| Common Name: | Blue Ringtail |
Distribution
Male
Female
Male
more photos
|
| Scientific Name: | Austrolestes annulosus (Selys, 1862) |
| Distribution: | Occurs from central NSW through most of Victoria into south-eastern SA,
most of Tasmania and south-western WA.
A few records also exist from central Australia and one from the Kimberley. |
| Description: | Medium sized damsels with significant pale markings (usually blue,
depending on maturity and possibly temperature) compared to similar species.
Diagnostic features are one pale, solid humeral (shoulder) stripe extending most (but not all) of the thorax
and most abdominal segments have forward pointing black markings on top. |
| Similar Species: |
Most similar to Austrolestes leda
but that species has an additional small mark below and to the back of the humeral stripe.
|
| Habitat: | Inhabits a wide range of still water including lakes and temporary pools. |
| Behaviour: | Mostly perch horizontally on sticks and grasses beside or emerging from water. |
| Observations: |
This fairly common species appears absent from higher altitudes and east Gippsland. |
| Links & References: |
Wildiaries
Esperance Fauna
Atlas of Living Australia
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