Australian emperor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anax papuensis |
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The Australian emperor dragonfly, also known as the yellow emperor dragonfly, is a large and striking insect. Its scientific name is Anax papuensis. This type of dragonfly belongs to the Aeshnidae family. These dragonflies are often called "hawkers" because of how they fly. You can spot them by their black bodies with bright yellow spots along their tail.
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About the Australian Emperor Dragonfly
The Australian emperor is a very large dragonfly. It can grow up to 70 millimeters (about 2.7 inches) long. Its body, called the abdomen, has bold black and yellow patterns. The middle part of its body, the thorax, is a greenish-grey color.
Its head is yellow with a special T-shaped mark on its forehead. The eyes are a bright yellow-green. The front edges of its wings are also yellow. This dragonfly usually hunts slowly. It flies back and forth, like other hawker dragonflies. Sometimes, it will suddenly fly very fast. Their wingspan can reach about 11 centimeters (about 4.3 inches). Both male and female dragonflies look similar.
Where They Live and Their Home
The Australian emperor dragonfly can be found all over Australia. In the state of Victoria, they live in two main areas. They are found below about 600 meters (2,000 feet) in height. They also live above about 1200 meters (4,000 feet). This is because they tend to avoid areas with thick forests.
You can also find them in New Zealand and New Guinea. They live on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Java, Sumba, and New Caledonia. These dragonflies are common near large bodies of water. They prefer places with tall plants growing along the banks. Like other hawkers, they might hunt for food far away from water. They fly during the warmer months, from September to May.
How They Behave
Australian emperor dragonflies are known for their interesting behavior. Scientists have studied how the males fly. Male Anax papuensis dragonflies are very protective of their space. They will fly towards and attack other male dragonflies that enter their territory.
When attacking, the male dragonfly uses a special trick. It flies in a way that makes it seem like it's not moving. This is called "motion camouflage." From the target's point of view, the attacking dragonfly appears to stay still against the background. But it gets bigger and bigger as it gets closer. This makes it hard for the rival to see the attacker moving until it's very close.
Male dragonflies are also very protective of the females. If another dragonfly comes too close, the male will chase it away. They might even have noisy air battles. Female dragonflies lay their eggs underwater.
Gallery
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The Australian emperor has a wingspan of about 11 centimeters.
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A male Australian emperor in flight.
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A dragonfly larva hatching.
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Wings of a female Australian emperor.
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Wings of a male Australian emperor.
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