Ischnura heterosticta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ischnura heterosticta
Male Ischnura heterosticta
Female Ischnura heterosticta
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Suborder:	Zygoptera
Family:	Coenagrionidae
Genus:	Ischnura
Species:	I. heterosticta
Binomial name
Ischnura heterosticta (Burmeister, 1842)
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The Common Bluetail (scientific name: Ischnura heterosticta) is a type of damselfly found in Australia. It's part of the Coenagrionidae family, which includes many damselflies. This damselfly is the biggest of the three Ischnura species living in Australia. You can usually spot them near water that moves slowly or is still, like ponds or quiet rivers. They can even live in slightly salty water! Common Bluetails are active and fly around from October to March.

What They Look Like

The Common Bluetail is a small and interesting insect. Most male Common Bluetails are quite striking. They usually have bright blue eyes. Their main body part, called the thorax, is also blue. Their tail is blue with rings, which makes them easy to spot. Female Common Bluetails can look very different from each other. Some females are green, while others are brown or even black. There are also some females that look very similar to the blue males.

Where They Live

You can find Ischnura heterosticta all over Australia. This includes the island of Tasmania. They are quite common in many different watery places across the continent.

Gallery

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  Female, brown form

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  Female, blue form

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  Common bluetails mating

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  Female wings

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  Male wings