Ischnura heterosticta | |
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Male Ischnura heterosticta | |
Female Ischnura heterosticta | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Clade: | Euarthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Odonata |
Suborder: | Zygoptera |
Family: | Coenagrionidae |
Genus: | Ischnura |
Species: | I. heterosticta |
Binomial name | |
Ischnura heterosticta (Burmeister, 1842) |
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Ischnura heterosticta, one of at least two species with the common name , is a common Australian damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae. It is the largest of the six Ischnura species in Australia. They are generally found near slow-running or still water. The species is also salt tolerant. It flies from October to March.
The common bluetail is a small damselfly. Most males have blue eyes, a blue thorax, and a blue ringed tail. The females have a variety of forms including green, brown, black, and a form with very similar colourings to the male.
In Australia, it is found throughout the entire continent including Tasmania.
Female, brown form
Female, blue form
Head of the damselfly
Female wings
Male wings