Gynacantha dobsoni is a species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae,[3] known as the lesser duskhawker.[4] It inhabits ponds and swamps and is found in northern Australia.[5][6]

Lesser duskhawker
Female, Darwin, Northern Territory
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Gynacantha
Species:
G. dobsoni
Binomial name
Gynacantha dobsoni
Fraser, 1951[2]

Gynacantha dobsoni is a large dull-coloured dragonfly with a constricted waist in its abdomen at segment 3. It is smaller than Gynacantha rosenbergi, which in many ways appears quite similar.[7] From 35 specimens of Gynacantha dobsoni held in the Australian National Insect Collection at the CSIRO, an average wingspan of 109mm and overall length (including appendages) of 78mm has been determined.[8] It is a crepuscular insect and flies at dawn and dusk.[6]

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References edit

  1. ^ Dow, R.A. (2017). "Gynacantha dobsoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T14255106A59256323. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T14255106A59256323.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Fraser, F.C. (1951). "A new species of Gynacantha (Odon., Aeshnidae) from Australia". Entomologist's Monthly Magazine. 87: 307–308 [307].
  3. ^ "Species Gynacantha dobsoni Fraser, 1951". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  4. ^ Theischinger, Günther; Hawking, John (2006). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. p. 156. ISBN 978-0-64309-073-6.
  5. ^ Theischinger, Gunther; Endersby, Ian (2009). Identification Guide to the Australian Odonata. Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW. p. 216. ISBN 978-1-74232-475-3.
  6. ^ a b 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. pp. 278 [191]. ISBN 0643051368.
  7. ^ Fraser, F.C. (1960). A handbook of the dragonflies of Australasia. Sydney: Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales. pp. 67 [37].
  8. ^ "biocache.ala.org.au Gynacantha dobsoni". Retrieved 29 March 2017.