Alpine darner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alpine darner
Male
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification

The alpine darner (scientific name: Austroaeschna flavomaculata) is a type of dragonfly found in the mountains of New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. These amazing insects are known for their dark bodies and pale markings.

Discover the Alpine Darner

Dragonflies are flying insects with long bodies, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, and large eyes. They are often seen near water, like ponds, rivers, and lakes. The alpine darner belongs to a group of dragonflies called "darners," which are known for being fast and strong flyers.

What Does It Look Like?

The alpine darner is mostly dark in color. It has special pale markings that stand out against its dark body. These markings help scientists tell it apart from other dragonflies. It looks quite similar to another dragonfly called the multi-spotted darner (Austroaeschna multipunctata). The multi-spotted darner also lives in south-eastern Australia, often near small mountain streams.

Where Does It Live?

As its name suggests, the alpine darner lives in mountainous areas. You can find it in the high regions of New South Wales and Victoria in Australia. These areas provide the right kind of environment, including streams and other water sources, where dragonflies like to live and lay their eggs.

How Do Scientists Study It?

Scientists study insects like the alpine darner to learn more about them. The male alpine darner was first officially described by a scientist named Robert John Tillyard in 1916. This means he was the first to give it a scientific name and write down its features. However, it took much longer to describe the female and the young forms (called larvae). They were not officially described until 1982. This shows that sometimes it takes many years for scientists to fully understand all parts of an animal's life cycle.

Gallery

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  Front view of a male

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  Female wings

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  Male wings