Griseargiolestes albescens is a species of Australian damselfly in the family Megapodagrionidae.[3] It is commonly known as a coastal flatwing.[4]

Coastal flatwing
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Megapodagrionidae
Genus: Griseargiolestes
Species:
G. albescens
Binomial name
Griseargiolestes albescens
(Tillyard, 1913)[2]

Coastal flatwings are medium sized damselflies; males are about 37 mm in length and the slightly smaller females are about 34 mm. They have a bronze-black colour marked with pale yellow, adult males are strongly pruinescent - their bodies and tip of their tails are covered with a fine, white, powdery layer.[5] They are only found in south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales, inhabiting creeks and streams, swampy areas, boggy seepages and lakes,[6] and will often rest on the lower parts of plants. Like other flatwing damselflies, coastal flatwings rest with their wings open flat, though females will sometimes rest with their wings closed. Males and females mate in a wheel position. They are not skittish and will allow people to approach closely.[7]

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References edit

  1. ^ Dow, R.A. (2017). "Griseargiolestes albescens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T87532245A87534011. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T87532245A87534011.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ Tillyard, R.J. (1913). "On some new and rare Australian Agrionidae (Odonata)". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 37 (1912): 404–479 [414] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. ^ "Species Griseargiolestes albescens (Tillyard, 1913)". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  4. ^ Theischinger, Günther; Hawking, John (2006). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. p. 48. ISBN 978 0 64309 073 6.
  5. ^ Watson, J.A.L.; Theischinger, G.; Abbey, H.M. (1991). The Australian Dragonflies: A Guide to the Identification, Distributions and Habitats of Australian Odonata. Melbourne: CSIRO. ISBN 0643051368.
  6. ^ Theischinger, Gunther; Endersby, Ian (2009). Identification Guide to the Australian Odonata (PDF). Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW. p. 215. ISBN 978 1 74232 475 3.
  7. ^ http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_dragons/CoastalFlatWing.htm Brisbane Insects: Coastal Flatwing Damselfly - Griseargiolestes albescens