Tasmanian swamp tigertail facts for kids

Synthemis tasmanica is a special type of dragonfly often called the Tasmanian swamp tigertail. It lives only in Tasmania, Australia. This amazing insect likes to live in wet places like seepages and bogs. It's a medium-sized dragonfly with a slender body. It has cool black and yellow patterns.

Quick facts for kids Tasmanian swamp tigertail
Male
Female
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification

What is a Dragonfly?

Dragonflies are flying insects. They are known for their big eyes and two pairs of strong, clear wings. They are very fast and agile flyers. Dragonflies are often found near water. This is because their young, called nymphs, live in the water.

Meet the Tasmanian Swamp Tigertail

The Tasmanian swamp tigertail is a beautiful dragonfly. It has a long, thin body. Its colors are mostly black and bright yellow. These colors help it blend in with its surroundings. It is not a very large dragonfly. It is considered medium-sized.

What it Looks Like

This dragonfly has a sleek body. Its wings are clear and strong. Like all dragonflies, it has large eyes. These eyes help it see very well. They can spot small insects to eat. The yellow and black stripes are a key feature. They make it easy to identify.

Where the Tasmanian Swamp Tigertail Lives

This unique dragonfly is found only in Tasmania. Tasmania is an island state of Australia. It has many wild and natural areas. The Tasmanian swamp tigertail loves very specific wet places.

Its Special Home: Seepages and Bogs

The Tasmanian swamp tigertail lives in seepages and bogs.

• Seepages are places where water slowly oozes out of the ground. They keep the soil very wet.
• Bogs are a type of wetland. They are usually spongy and wet. They have special plants like mosses.

These wet habitats are perfect for this dragonfly. They provide the right conditions for its life cycle.

Dragonfly Life Cycle

Dragonflies have an interesting life cycle. It has three main stages. These stages are egg, nymph, and adult.

Eggs and Nymphs

Female dragonflies lay their eggs in or near water. For the Tasmanian swamp tigertail, this would be in seepages or bogs. When the eggs hatch, tiny creatures called nymphs come out. Nymphs live underwater. They are like underwater hunters. They eat small water insects. Nymphs can live in the water for months or even years. They grow by shedding their skin many times.

Becoming an Adult Dragonfly

When a nymph is ready, it crawls out of the water. It climbs onto a plant stem or rock. Its skin then splits open. The adult dragonfly slowly emerges. Its wings are soft at first. They soon harden and become strong. The adult dragonfly can then fly. It will spend its time flying, hunting, and finding a mate. Adult dragonflies usually live for only a few weeks or months.

Images for kids

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  Male

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  Mating pair, female is upside down

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  Female wings

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  Male wings