kids encyclopedia robot

List of Odonata species of Australia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Austroaeschna flavomaculata male side
The Alpine darner, a type of dragonfly.

Australia is home to many amazing insects, including a wide variety of damselflies and dragonflies. These insects are often seen flying around water, like rivers, lakes, and ponds. They are known for their beautiful wings and bright colors.

This article shares some of the different kinds of damselflies and dragonflies found in Australia. Scientists group them into two main types: damselflies (called Zygoptera) and dragonflies (called Anisoptera). Within these groups, they are further organized into families and then genera (groups of similar species) and species (specific types of animals).

Damselflies (Zygoptera)

Damselflies are usually smaller and more slender than dragonflies. When they rest, most damselflies hold their wings together over their back.

Coenagrionidae

This is a large family of damselflies, often called "narrow-winged damselflies." Many of them are blue or green.

Hemiphlebiidae

This family includes a very special damselfly.

  • The Ancient greenling is a rare and unique damselfly, sometimes called a "living fossil" because it looks very similar to ancient damselflies.

Isostictidae

These damselflies are often called "pinflies" or "wiretails" because of their slender bodies.

Lestidae

Members of this family are often called "spreadwings" because they hold their wings slightly open when resting.

Lestoideidae

This family includes some larger, more robust damselflies.

Megapodagrionidae

These damselflies are often called "flatwings" because they tend to rest with their wings flattened out.

Platycnemididae

This family includes the "threadtails," known for their very thin bodies.

Synlestidae

These are often called "whitetips" or "needles."

Dragonflies (Anisoptera)

Dragonflies are usually larger and stronger fliers than damselflies. When they rest, they hold their wings out to the sides, like an airplane.

Aeshnidae

This family includes large, powerful dragonflies often called "hawkers" or "darners." They are very fast fliers.

  • The Blue-spotted hawker is found in many coastal areas.
  • Australian emperors are among the largest dragonflies in Australia and are found almost everywhere.
  • Lesser duskhawkers are active around dusk.

Austrocorduliidae

These are often called "hawks" or "mystics."

Austropetaliidae

This family includes "redspots" and "petaltails."

Brachytronidae

This family includes "darners."

Cordulephyidae

These are known as "shutwings."

Corduliidae

This family includes "emeralds" and "tigerhawks."

  • The Tau emerald is very common and widespread across Australia.
  • Eastern swamp emeralds live in swampy areas.

Gomphidae

These dragonflies are often called "clubtails" or "hunters" because of the shape of their tails.

  • Southern dragons are found in many parts of Queensland and New South Wales.
Yellow-striped Hunter
The Yellow-striped hunter, Austrogomphus guerini.

Gomphomacromiidae

This family includes "urflies."

Libellulidae

This is the largest family of dragonflies, often called "skimmers" or "perchers." They are very diverse in size and color.

Tramea loewii - Darwin
Male common glider - Darwin

Lindeniidae

This family includes "tigers."

Macromiidae

These are known as "cruisers."

Petaluridae

This family contains some of the largest and most ancient dragonflies, often called "petaltails."

Pseudocorduliidae

These are known as "mistflies."

Synthemistidae

This family includes "tigertails" and "spotwings."

Telephlebiidae

This family includes many types of "darners" and "evening darners."

Lesser Tasmanian Darner Austroaeschna hardyi female
The Lesser Tasmanian darner Austroaeschna hardyi.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Especies de Odonata de Australia para niños

kids search engine
List of Odonata species of Australia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.