Northern ringtail facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Northern ringtail
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification

The Northern ringtail (scientific name: Austrolestes insularis) is a cool insect that lives in Australia. It's a type of damselfly, which looks a lot like a dragonfly but is usually smaller. These damselflies are part of a family called Lestidae. You can find them all over northern Australia.

What is a Damselfly?

Damselflies are amazing flying insects. They have long, thin bodies and two pairs of clear wings. When they rest, damselflies usually hold their wings together over their back. This is one way to tell them apart from dragonflies, which often hold their wings out flat. Damselflies are often found near water, like streams, ponds, and lakes.

Where Do Northern Ringtails Live?

The Northern ringtail damselfly lives all across northern Australia. They love places with fresh water. You can often spot them flying near streams, quiet pools, and ponds. These watery homes are important for them to find food and lay their eggs.

What Do They Look Like?

The Northern ringtail is a medium-sized to large damselfly. The males are quite striking with light blue and brown colors. Like all damselflies, they have big eyes that help them see their prey. Their bodies are long and slender, perfect for zipping through the air.

Life Cycle

Like many insects, damselflies go through a few stages in their life.

• Eggs: Female damselflies lay their eggs in or near water. They might place them on underwater plants.
• Nymphs: Once the eggs hatch, tiny creatures called nymphs emerge. These nymphs live underwater. They breathe using special gills and hunt small water creatures.
• Adults: After growing and shedding their skin several times, the nymph climbs out of the water. It then transforms into the adult damselfly we see flying around. The adult damselfly lives for a short time, mostly to find a mate and lay eggs, starting the cycle again.

Gallery

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  Female wings

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  Male wings