List of Odonata species of Australia facts for kids

Alpine darner, Austroaeschna flavomaculata

This is a list of species of damselflies and dragonflies recorded in Australia.

Common names of species are linked, beside their scientific names.

The list is split into two groups: damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) and other dragonflies (infraorder Anisoptera). Those groups are organized in Families and then Genera and Species.

Zygoptera (damselflies)

Coenagrionidae

genus: Aciagrion

Blue slim, Aciagrion fragilis

genus: Agriocnemis

Silver wisp, Agriocnemis argentea
Tropical wisp, Agriocnemis dobsoni
Pilbara wisp, Agriocnemis kunjina
Pygmy wisp, Agriocnemis pygmaea
Red-rumped wisp, Agriocnemis rubricauda
Agriocnemis thoracalis

genus: Archibasis

Blue-banded longtail, Archibasis mimetes

genus: Argiocnemis

Red-tipped shadefly, Argiocnemis rubescens

genus: Austroagrion

South-western billabongfly, Austroagrion cyane
Northern billabongfly, Austroagrion exclamationis
Pilbara billabongfly, Austroagrion pindrina
Eastern billabongfly, Austroagrion watsoni

genus: Austrocnemis

Tiny longlegs, Austrocnemis maccullochi
Kimberley longlegs, Austrocnemis obscura
Splendid longlegs, Austrocnemis splendida

genus: Caliagrion

Large riverdamsel, Caliagrion billinghursti

genus: Ceriagrion

Redtail, Ceriagrion aeruginosum

genus: Coenagrion

Swamp bluet, Coenagrion lyelli

genus: Ischnura

Aurora bluetail, Ischnura aurora
Common bluetail, Ischnura heterosticta
Colourful bluetail, Ischnura pruinescens

genus: Pseudagrion

Gold-fronted riverdamsel, Pseudagrion aureofrons
Northern riverdamsel, Pseudagrion cingillum
Flame-headed riverdamsel, Pseudagrion ignifer
Dusky riverdamsel, Pseudagrion jedda
Citrine-headed riverdamsel, Pseudagrion lucifer
Blue riverdamsel, Pseudagrion microcephalum

genus: Teinobasis

Red-breasted longtail, Teinobasis rufithorax

genus: Xanthagrion

Red and blue damsel, Xanthagrion erythroneurum

Hemiphlebiidae

genus: Hemiphlebia

Ancient greenling, Hemiphlebia mirabilis

Isostictidae

genus: Austrosticta

Northern pondsitter, Austrosticta fieldi
Eastern pondsitter, Austrosticta frater
Kimberley pondsitter, Austrosticta soror

genus: Eurysticta

Pilbara pin, Eurysticta coolawanyah
Coomalie pin, Eurysticta coomalie
Kimberley pin, Eurysticta kununurra
Queensland pin, Eurysticta reevesi

genus: Labidiosticta

Large wiretail, Labidiosticta vallisi

genus: Lithosticta

Rock narrow-wing, Lithosticta macra

genus: Neosticta

Southern pinfly, Neosticta canescens
Tropical pinfly, Neosticta fraseri
Forest pinfly, Neosticta silvarum

genus: Oristicta

Slender wiretail, Oristicta filicicola
Elegant wiretail, Oristicta rosendaleorum

genus: Rhadinosticta

Northern wiretail, Rhadinosticta banksi
Wiretail, Rhadinosticta handschini
Powdered wiretail, Rhadinosticta simplex

Lestidae

genus: Austrolestes

Western ringtail, Austrolestes aleison
Slender ringtail, Austrolestes analis
Blue ringtail, Austrolestes annulosus
Inland ringtail, Austrolestes aridus
Metallic ringtail, Austrolestes cingulatus
Northern ringtail, Austrolestes insularis
Iota ringtail, Austrolestes io
Wandering ringtail, Austrolestes leda
Dune ringtail, Austrolestes minjerriba
Cup ringtail, Austrolestes psyche

genus: Indolestes

Small reedling, Indolestes alleni
Cave reedling, Indolestes obiri
Slender reedling, Indolestes tenuissimus

genus: Lestes

Dusky spreadwing, Lestes concinnus

Lestoideidae

genus: Diphlebia

Sapphire rockmaster, Diphlebia coerulescens
Tropical rockmaster, Diphlebia euphaeoides
Giant rockmaster, Diphlebia hybridoides
Whitewater rockmaster, Diphlebia lestoides
Arrowhead rockmaster, Diphlebia nymphoides

genus: Lestoidea

Large bluestreak, Lestoidea barbarae
Short-tipped bluestreak, Lestoidea brevicauda
Common bluestreak, Lestoidea conjuncta
Mount Lewis bluestreak, Lestoidea lewisiana

Megapodagrionidae

genus: Archiargiolestes

Midget flatwing, Archiargiolestes parvulus
Tiny flatwing, Archiargiolestes pusillissimus
Little flatwing, Archiargiolestes pusillus

genus: Austroargiolestes

New England flatwing, Austroargiolestes alpinus
Flame flatwing, Austroargiolestes amabilis
Tropical flatwing, Austroargiolestes aureus
Barrington flatwing, Austroargiolestes brookhousei
Powdered flatwing, Austroargiolestes calcaris
Milky flatwing, Austroargiolestes christine
Golden flatwing, Austroargiolestes chrysoides
Azure flatwing, Austroargiolestes elke
Common flatwing, Austroargiolestes icteromelas
Sydney flatwing, Austroargiolestes isabellae

genus: Griseargiolestes

Coastal flatwing, Griseargiolestes albescens
Turquoise flatwing, Griseargiolestes bucki
Grey-chested flatwing, Griseargiolestes eboracus
Springs flatwing, Griseargiolestes fontanus
Grey flatwing, Griseargiolestes griseus
Alpine flatwing, Griseargiolestes intermedius
Metallic flatwing, Griseargiolestes metallicus

genus: Miniargiolestes

Stream flatwing, Miniargiolestes minimus

genus: Podopteryx

Treehole flatwing, Podopteryx selysi

Platycnemididae

genus: Nososticta

Black-winged threadtail, Nososticta baroalba
Green-blue threadtail, Nososticta coelestina
Northern threadtail, Nososticta fraterna
Spot-winged threadtail, Nososticta kalumburu
Koolpinyah threadtail, Nososticta koolpinyah
Citrine threadtail, Nososticta koongarra
Malachite threadtail, Nososticta liveringa
Striped threadtail, Nososticta mouldsi
Pilbara threadtail, Nososticta pilbara
Orange threadtail, Nososticta solida
Fivespot threadtail, Nososticta solitaria
Melville Island threadtail, Nososticta taracumbi

Synlestidae

genus: Chorismagrion

Pretty relict, Chorismagrion risi

genus: Episynlestes

Southern whitetip, Episynlestes albicauda
Tropical whitetip, Episynlestes cristatus
Intermediate whitetip, Episynlestes intermedius

genus: Synlestes

Forest needle, Synlestes selysi
Tropical needle, Synlestes tropicus
Bronze needle, Synlestes weyersii

Anisoptera (dragonflies)

Aeshnidae

genus: Adversaeschna

Blue-spotted hawker, Adversaeschna brevistyla (Coastal areas from Cooktown in northern Queensland, south to Victoria, and the Pilbara in Western Australia)

genus: Agyrtacantha

Trifid duskhawker, Agyrtacantha dirupta (Cape York Peninsula)

genus: Anaciaeschna

Australasian duskhawker, Anaciaeschna jaspidea (Coastal Queensland and Northern Territory)

genus: Anax

Kimberley emperor, Anax georgius (The Kimberley)
Green emperor, Anax gibbosulus (Coastal northern Australia from the Kimberley to the Gold Coast)
Lesser green emperor, Anax guttatus (Coastal northern Australia from the Kimberley to the Gold Coast)
Australian emperor, Anax papuensis (All Australia and islands)

genus: Austrogynacantha

Australian duskhawker, Austrogynacantha heterogena (Across Australia north of about Sydney)

genus: Gynacantha

Lesser duskhawker, Gynacantha dobsoni (Northern Australia)
Slender duskhawker, Gynacantha kirbyi (Northern Queensland)
Paddle-tipped duskhawker, Gynacantha mocsaryi (Northern Queensland)
Cave duskhawker, Gynacantha nourlangie (Inland and northern Australia)
Grey duskhawker, Gynacantha rosenbergi (Northern Queensland)

Austrocorduliidae

genus: Apocordulia

Nighthawk, Apocordulia macrops

genus: Austrocordulia

Sydney hawk, Austrocordulia leonardi
Eastern hawk, Austrocordulia refracta
Top End hawk, Austrocordulia territoria

genus: Austrophya

Rainforest mystic, Austrophya mystica

genus: Hesperocordulia

Orange streamcruiser, Hesperocordulia berthoudi

genus: Lathrocordulia

Queensland swiftwing, Lathrocordulia garrisoni
Western swiftwing, Lathrocordulia metallica

genus: Micromidia

Forest mosquitohawk, Micromidia atrifrons
Early mosquitohawk, Micromidia convergens
Thursday Island mosquitohawk, Micromidia rodericki

Austropetaliidae

genus: Archipetalia

Tasmanian redspot, Archipetalia auriculata (Tasmania)

genus: Austropetalia

Austropetalia annaliese (Eastern New South Wales)
Waterfall redspot, Austropetalia patricia (Coastal New South Wales)
Alpine redspot, Austropetalia tonyana (Southern New South Wales and Victoria between 600–1800 metres elevation)

Brachytronidae

genus: Dendroaeschna

Wide-faced darner, Dendroaeschna conspersa

Cordulephyidae

genus: Cordulephya

Common shutwing, Cordulephya pygmaea (Coastal mid-southern Queensland to Victoria, also inland to 600 metres elevation)
Tropical shutwing, Cordulephya bidens (Coastal central Queensland)
Clubbed shutwing, Cordulephya divergens (Coastal southern New South Wales)
Mountain shutwing, Cordulephya montana (Coastal to alpine New South Wales)

Corduliidae

genus: Hemicordulia

Australian emerald, Hemicordulia australiae (Widespread in eastern and south-western Australia)
Fat-bellied emerald, Hemicordulia continentalis (Coastal Queensland)
Desert emerald, Hemicordulia flava (Central Australia)
Yellow-spotted emerald, Hemicordulia intermedia (Northern Australia)
Slender emerald, Hemicordulia kalliste (Northern Australia)
Pilbara emerald, Hemicordulia koomina (Pilbara, Western Australia)
Superb emerald, Hemicordulia superba (Northern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland)
Tau emerald, Hemicordulia tau (Widespread across Australia)

genus: Pentathemis

Metallic tigerhawk, Pentathemis membranulata (Northern Australia)

genus: Procordulia

Western swamp emerald, Procordulia affinis (South-western Western Australia)
Eastern swamp emerald, Procordulia jacksoniensis (Eastern New South Wales, Victoria, south-eastern South Australia, Tasmania)

Gomphidae

genus: Antipodogomphus

Southern dragon, Antipodogomphus acolythus Queensland except for Cape York and south-west, New South Wales except south-east and Victoria
Top End dragon, Antipodogomphus dentosus Top End of Northern Territory
Cape York dragon, Antipodogomphus edentulus Cape York, Queensland
Pilbara dragon, Antipodogomphus hodgkini Pilbara region of Western Australia
Northern dragon, Antipodogomphus neophytus Northern Australia, from Western Australia to Queensland
Spinehead dragon, Antipodogomphus proselythus Coastal Queensland

genus: Armagomphus

Armourtail, Armagomphus armiger South-western Western Australia.

Austrogomphus guerini

genus: Austrogomphus

subgenus Austroepigomphus

Austrogomphus praeruptus (South-eastern South Australia, Victoria)

subgenus Austrogomphus

Murray River hunter, Austrogomphus angelorum (South-eastern South Australia, Victoria, western New South Wales)
Toothed hunter, Austrogomphus arbustorum (Northern Queensland)
Inland hunter, Austrogomphus australis (Victoria, south-eastern South Australia, southern Queensland, north-eastern and western New South Wales)
Western inland hunter, Austrogomphus collaris (South-western Western Australia)
Unicorn hunter, Austrogomphus cornutus (Victoria, eastern New South Wales, mid- and southern Queensland)
Northern river hunter, Austrogomphus doddi (North-eastern Queensland)
Yellow-striped hunter, Austrogomphus guerini (South-eastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales, Victoria, south-eastern South Australia, Tasmania)
Pimple-headed hunter, Austrogomphus mjobergi (Northern Northern Territory, north-western Western Australia, north-eastern Queensland)
Kimberly hunter, Austrogomphus mouldsorum (North-western Western Australia)
Jade hunter, Austrogomphus ochraceus (South-eastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales, southern Victoria)
Tiny hunter, Austrogomphus pusillus (North-western Western Australia)

subgenus Pleiogomphus

Pale hunter, Austrogomphus amphiclitus (Eastern New South Wales, eastern and south-western Queensland)
Dark hunter, Austrogomphus bifurcatus (North-eastern Queensland)
Fork hunter, Austrogomphus divaricatus (Eastern Queensland)
Lemon-tipped hunter, Austrogomphus prasinus (North-eastern Queensland)

subgenus Xerogomphus

Western red hunter, Austrogomphus gordoni (Western Australia except the Kimberleys and central Australia)
Flame-tipped hunter, Austrogomphus turneri (Northern Australia, from Western Australia to Queensland)

genus: Hemigomphus

Black vicetail, Hemigomphus atratus Mid coastal Queensland
Zebra vicetail, Hemigomphus comitatus Mid and north coastal Queensland
Wallum vicetail, Hemigomphus cooloola Coastal New South Wales
Southern vicetail, Hemigomphus gouldii Coastal South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, southern Queensland
Stout vicetail, Hemigomphus heteroclytus Coastal South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, southern Queensland
Kakadu vicetail, Hemigomphus magela Northern Territory
Rainforest vicetail, Hemigomphus theischingeri Mid and northern coastal Queensland

genus: Odontogomphus

Pinchtail, Odontogomphus donnellyi (Northern coastal Queensland)

genus: Zephyrogomphus

Lilac hunter, Zephyrogomphus lateralis (South-western Western Australia)
Rainforest hunter, Zephyrogomphus longipositor (North-eastern Queensland)

Gomphomacromiidae

genus: Archaeophya

Horned urfly, Archaeophya adamsi
Magnificent urfly, Archaeophya magnifica

Libellulidae

genus: Aethriamanta

Square-spot basker, Aethriamanta circumsignata (Northern Australia)
L-spot basker, Aethriamanta nymphaeae (Northern Australia)

genus: Agrionoptera

Red swampdragon, Agrionoptera insignis allogenes (Northern New South Wales, eastern Queensland, Northern Territory)
Striped swampdragon, Agrionoptera longitudinalis biserialis (North-eastern Queensland)

genus: Austrothemis

Swamp flat-tail, Austrothemis nigrescens (Southern Australia)

genus: Brachydiplax

Palemouth, Brachydiplax denticauda
Darkmouth, Brachydiplax duivenbodei

genus: Camacinia

Black knight, Camacinia othello

genus: Crocothemis

Black-headed skimmer, Crocothemis nigrifrons

genus: Diplacodes

Wandering percher, Diplacodes bipunctata (Widespread across Australia)
Scarlet percher, Diplacodes haematodes (Widespread across Australia)
Black-faced percher, Diplacodes melanopsis (Coastal southern Queensland, coastal New South Wales, Victoria)
Charcoal-winged percher, Diplacodes nebulosa (Northern Australia)
Chalky percher, Diplacodes trivialis (Northern Australia)

genus: Huonia

Forestwatcher, Huonia melvillensis

genus: Hydrobasileus

Water prince, Hydrobasileus brevistylus

genus: Lathrecista

Australasian slimwing, Lathrecista asiatica festa

genus: Macrodiplax

Wandering pennant, Macrodiplax cora

genus: Nannodiplax

Pygmy percher, Nannodiplax rubra

genus: Nannophlebia

Elusive archtail, Nannophlebia eludens
Pilbara archtail, Nannophlebia injibandi
Top End archtail, Nannophlebia mudginberri
Common archtail, Nannophlebia risi

genus: Nannophya

Australian pygmyfly, Nannophya australis
Eastern pygmyfly, Nannophya dalei
Western pygmyfly, Nannophya occidentalis
Scarlet pygmyfly, Nannophya paulsoni

genus: Neurothemis

Spotted grasshawk, Neurothemis oligoneura
Painted grasshawk, Neurothemis stigmatizans

genus: Notolibellula

Bicoloured skimmer, Notolibellula bicolor

genus: Orthetrum

Speckled skimmer, Orthetrum balteatum
Brownwater skimmer, Orthetrum boumiera
Blue skimmer, Orthetrum caledonicum
Rosy skimmer, Orthetrum migratum
Slender skimmer, Orthetrum sabina
Green skimmer, Orthetrum serapia
Fiery skimmer, Orthetrum villosovittatum

genus: Pantala

Wandering glider, Pantala flavescens

genus: Potamarcha

Swampwatcher, Potamarcha congener

genus: Raphismia

Spiny-chested percher, Raphismia bispina

genus: Rhodothemis

Red arrow, Rhodothemis lieftincki

genus: Rhyothemis

Iridescent flutterer, Rhyothemis braganza
Graphic flutterer, Rhyothemis graphiptera
Yellow-striped flutterer, Rhyothemis phyllis
Sapphire flutterer, Rhyothemis princeps
Jewel flutterer, Rhyothemis resplendens

genus: Tetrathemis

Rainforest elf, Tetrathemis irregularis

genus: Tholymis

Twister, Tholymis tillarga

genus: Tramea

Male common glider - Darwin

Dune glider, Tramea eurybia
Common glider, Tramea loewii
Northern glider, Tramea transmarina
Narrow-lobed glider, Tramea stenoloba

genus: Urothemis

Red baron, Urothemis aliena

genus: Zyxomma

Short-tailed duskdarter, Zyxomma elgneri
Large duskdarter, Zyxomma multinervorum
Long-tailed duskdarter, Zyxomma petiolatum

Lindeniidae

genus: Ictinogomphus

Australian tiger, Ictinogomphus australis
Pilbara tiger, Ictinogomphus dobsoni
Cape York tiger, Ictinogomphus paulini

Macromiidae

genus: Macromia

Australian cruiser, Macromia tillyardi
Rainforest cruiser, Macromia viridescens

Petaluridae

genus: Petalura

South-eastern petaltail, Petalura gigantea (Coastal New South Wales)
Western petaltail, Petalura hesperia (Southwest Western Australia)
Giant petaltail, Petalura ingentissima (Coastal northern Queensland)
Coastal petaltail, Petalura litorea (Coastal northern New South Wales and southern Queensland)
Beautiful petaltail, Petalura pulcherrima (Coastal northern Queensland and Cape York)

Pseudocorduliidae

genus: Pseudocordulia

Circle-tipped mistfly, Pseudocordulia circularis
Ellipse-tipped mistfly, Pseudocordulia elliptica

Synthemistidae

genus: Archaeosynthemis

Twinspot tigertail, Archaeosynthemis leachii
Western brown tigertail, Archaeosynthemis occidentalis
Eastern brown tigertail, Archaeosynthemis orientalis
Spiny tigertail, Archaeosynthemis spiniger

genus: Austrosynthemis

Turquoise tigertail, Austrosynthemis cyanitincta

genus: Choristhemis

Yellow-tipped tigertail, Choristhemis flavoterminata
Delicate tigertail, Choristhemis olivei

genus: Eusynthemis

Variable tigertail, Eusynthemis aurolineata
Mount Lewis tigertail, Eusynthemis barbarae
Small tigertail, Eusynthemis brevistyla
Carnarvon tigertail, Eusynthemis deniseae
Southern tigertail, Eusynthemis guttata
Pretty tigertail, Eusynthemis netta
Black tigertail, Eusynthemis nigra
Swift tigertail, Eusynthemis rentziana
Rainforest tigertail, Eusynthemis tenera
Mountain tigertail, Eusynthemis tillyardi
Barrington tigertail, Eusynthemis ursa
Beech tigertail, Eusynthemis ursula
Golden tigertail, Eusynthemis virgula

genus: Parasynthemis

Royal tigertail, Parasynthemis regina

genus: Synthemiopsis

Tasmanian spotwing, Synthemiopsis gomphomacromioides

genus: Synthemis

Swamp tigertail, Synthemis eustalacta (Eastern New South Wales, Victoria and southern South Australia)
Tasmanian swamp tigertail, Synthemis tasmanica (Tasmania)

genus: Tonyosynthemis

Clavicle tigertail, Tonyosynthemis claviculata
Slender tigertail, Tonyosynthemis ofarrelli

Telephlebiidae

genus: Acanthaeschna

Thylacine darner, Acanthaeschna victoria (Coastal southern Queensland and northern New South Wales)

genus: Antipodophlebia

Terrestrial evening darner, Antipodophlebia asthenes

genus: Austroaeschna

Lesser Tasmanian darner Austroaeschna hardyi

Western darner, Austroaeschna anacantha (Coastal south-western Western Australia)
Mountain darner, Austroaeschna atrata (Australian Alps)
S-spot darner, Austroaeschna christine (Central coast of Queensland)
Wallum darner, Austroaeschna cooloola Southern coast of Queensland
Eungella darner, Austroaeschna eungella (Central coast of Queensland)
Alpine darner, Austroaeschna flavomaculata (Australian Alps)
Lesser Tasmanian darner, Austroaeschna hardyi (Tasmania)
Whitewater darner, Austroaeschna inermis (Coastal south-eastern Australia)
Grampians darner, Austroaeschna ingrid (Western Victoria)
Carnarvon darner, Austroaeschna muelleri (Inland southern Queensland)
Multi-spotted darner, Austroaeschna multipunctata (Southern coastal New South Wales to Victoria)
Sydney mountain darner, Austroaeschna obscura (Mountains around Sydney)
Swamp darner, Austroaeschna parvistigma (Coastal New South Wales, Victoria, southern South Australia and Tasmania)
Inland darner, Austroaeschna pinheyi (Carnarvon Gorge, Queensland)
Forest darner, Austroaeschna pulchra (Coastal southern Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria)
Sigma darner, Austroaeschna sigma (Coastal southern Queensland and New South Wales)
Tropical unicorn darner, Austroaeschna speciosa (Central coast of Queensland)
Conehead darner, Austroaeschna subapicalis (Coastal New South Wales and Victoria)
Tasmanian darner, Austroaeschna tasmanica (Tasmania)
Unicorn darner, Austroaeschna unicornis (Southern Queensland to coastal New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia)

genus: Austrophlebia

Southern giant darner, Austrophlebia costalis
Northern giant darner, Austrophlebia subcostalis

genus: Dromaeschna

Green-striped darner, Dromaeschna forcipata (Coast of Cape York Peninsula, Queensland)
Ochre-tipped darner, Dromaeschna weiskei (Coast of Cape York Peninsula, Queensland)

genus: Notoaeschna

Northern riffle darner, Notoaeschna geminata
Southern riffle darner, Notoaeschna sagittata

genus: Spinaeschna

Southern cascade darner, Spinaeschna tripunctata
Tropical cascade darner, Spinaeschna watsoni

genus: Telephlebia

Southern evening darner, Telephlebia brevicauda
Northern evening darner, Telephlebia cyclops
Eastern evening darner, Telephlebia godeffroyi
Tropical evening darner, Telephlebia tillyardi
Coastal evening darner, Telephlebia tryoni
Carnarvon evening darner, Telephlebia undia