Western Pygmyfly - Nannophya occidentalis

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Western Pygmyfly - Nannophya occidentalis

Nannophya occidentalis is a member of the Libellulidae family that includes the Percher Dragonflies, of which the males of several species are also coloured bright red. The Western Pygmyfly is however much smaller, with males being around 2 cm (3/4”) in length and the females smaller again. Despite its small stature, the male stands out brightly by it iridescent red abdomen that literally glows. The female is a not an unattractive orange brown, but pales in comparison.

This dragonfly favours shallow permanently inundated freshwater swamps, where it can occur in large numbers. Competing males often take up positions within a few feet of each other, where they perch for lengthy periods whilst waiting for visiting females, who like many of this gender spend much of their time well away from the water and male harassment.

The Western Pygmyfly only occurs in southwestern near coastal regions of WA, but a similar looking species Nannophya dalei the Eastern Pygmyfly, can be found in much the same habitat from SA to northern NSW. Despite their smaller size, which immediately distinguishes them from other Perching Dragonflies, both Eastern and Western Pygmyflies have on top of the abdomen a dark mid-dorsal stripe. With the Eastern male, segments 1-3 and sometimes more are marked, whilst the Western species only the first and rarely the second segment are marked.

Blue Skimmer - Orthetrum caledonicum

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Blue Skimmer - Orthetrum caledonicum

Skimmer dragonflies belong to the Libellulidae family, with Orthetrum caledonicum occurring Australia wide and probably the most common. It can frequently be seen around Esperance on the edge of almost any creek or pondage, or at least the male dragonfly can. The females from my observations only visit to breed and rarely stay long, which may be the result of intense male interest.

Usually several males will take up positions around a waterway, where they spend a fair amount of their time perched on the ground or low vegetation near the waters edge. Other males that cross into these areas are promptly escorted out, so naturally with such strongly guarded territories any visiting female is vigorously pursued. After mating the female may check out the aquatic prospects for her offspring, but will not stay long and move away until she has the need to deposit her eggs.

The females I have observed, fly without the male around the edge of the pool and periodically dip their tail into the water, presumably to drop an egg, again she does not stay long and soon moves away from the water. I would imagine this egg laying activity would be repeated during the day until she decides to go elsewhere. So in order to see the females, you need to be either very lucky by being in the right place at the right time, or copy the male’s example and perch quietly nearby and wait patently.

There is a similar dragonfly also recorded for the Esperance region, but I have not seen it locally. It is the Black-headed Skimmer, Crocothemis nigrifrons and like its name suggests is much darker around the head and synthorax; the abdomen although also powder blue, is a deeper shade. However different wing venation is diagnostic between species, but these cannot be illustrated here as detailed diagrams are required to show variation.

Wandering Percher - Diplacodes bipunctata

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Wandering Percher - Diplacodes bipunctata

Diplacodes bipunctata is a member of the Libellulidae family and despite its flashy exotic appearance is widely distributed in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and numerous Pacific Islands. The males are a striking orange/red and have small black triangles spaced down their abdomen, whereas the females are yellow, also with similar black abdominal markings, plus a thin black mid-dorsel line.

Wandering Percher Dragonflies are around 3 cm (11/4”) in length and are quite common, although they tend to move around in groups so can be plentiful one day, but gone the next. They are called Perching Dragonflies, because that is what the male does by spending a considerable amount of time perched in a favourite spot whilst waiting for the females to arrive, which they also seem to do as a group. The males then become most active, not only mating on the wing, but are continually in flight guiding and protecting the female while she lays her eggs.

Wandering Percher females do not lay their eggs on aquatic vegetating like most other dragonflies, but hover with the male just above the water surface, where she quickly dips the tip of her abdomen to release an egg, then moving a short distance to repeat the procedure. They mostly place their eggs in shallow water and can be seen with other couples near the waters edge, or flying parallel to it, stopping at short intervals to drop another.

The distribution of a similar looking dragonfly, the Scarlet Percher Diplacodes haematodes is included for the Esperance region (The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia by G. Theischinger and J. Hawking), where the male is also a bright orange/red, but lacks the black mid-dorsal markings. However, I have not as yet seen this species and have no idea how the female compares with the female Wandering Percher Dragonfly.

Australian Emperor Dragonfly - Hemianax papuensis

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Australian Emperor Dragonfly - Hemianax papuensis

The Australian Emperor Dragonfly is the largest I have seen in the Esperance region, having a head/body length of around 7 cm (3”). As a size comparison, hovering over the egg laying Emperor Dragonfly couple above, is a blue damselfly Austroagrion cyane, the South-western Billabongfly. Although not uncommon, Hemianax papuensis are continuously on the move and can be very difficult to photograph, even when they do rest, they take-off long before you can get close. Being exceptionally strong fliers they can be found throughout Australia, plus New Zealand, New Guinea and many Islands to the north of Australia.

Hemianax papuensis is the only Australian species in the Hemianax genus, which in turn belongs to the Aeshnidae family along with 6 other genera and 13 indigenous species, however none are endemic to Australia and like the Australian Emperor are distributed over a large area, some as far as India.

Locally, Hemianax papuensis favours slow streams and still waters, providing aquatic vegetation is available. Near me is a small dam with plenty of surrounding vegetation, but it had no aquatic plants, so I collected several Bulrush tubers from the creek and planted them into the dam 3 years ago. Only one tuber survived, but has done quite well and now there are around 30 rushes poking out of the water, which are perfect for the damselfies/dragonflies, with several having taken up residence and others visiting, thereby increasing biodiversity considerably.

Tau Emerald Dragonfly - Hemicordulia tau

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Tau Emerald Dragonfly - Hemicordulia tau

Hemicordulia tau belongs to the Hemicorduliidae family, which has two species in the Esperance region, both very similar and difficult to separate without careful investigation. These dragonflies are known as vagrants, which means they are wanderers and not permanent in any location, however they are both common and also can be found in all Eastern States including Tasmania. They are excellent fliers and seldom rest, but when they do, they usually hang vertically with wings extended at right angles. When on patrol along creeks, swamps and pools, they often hover with their body motionless whilst investigating any intruder and are known to chase off other less agile dragonfly species, besides rival males.

The Tau Emerald Dragonfly is more widespread than the similar Australian Emerald Hemicordulia australiae and successfully occupies the dry interior and Nullarbor where water is limited and often temporary. Other differences include the markings on the frons (nose), which on the Tau Emerald is yellow with a black T marking, whereas is darkly coloured without markings on the Australian Emerald. The extent of the blue/green color is another distinguishing feature that relates to the abdominal segments, of which there are nine (excluding the thorax and anal appendages). With the Tau Emerald the seventh segment (third from the anal appendage end) is largely darkly coloured on top, but the Australian Emerald’s is strongly constricted at the top of the seventh segment and the one below (eighth).

Hemicordulia tau is around 5 cm (2”) in head/body length and locally likely to be encountered during the warmer months from January to March. The metallic blue/green markings on the otherwise yellow abdomen are quite striking, particularly when viewed in reflective sunlight, making this species one not to miss.

A very useful and relatively inexpensive publication permitting identification to species level is The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia by G.Theischinger and J.Hawking.

Update 21/03/2010
Two photographs exchanged.
Update 23/05/2010
Photo of black facial T marking added.

Swamp Flat-tail Dragonfly - Austrothemis nigrecens

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Swamp Flat-tail Dragonfly - Austrothemis nigrecens

The Australian Faunal Directory states that dragonflies belong to the Suborder Epiproctophora, which has 6 Superfamilies, 18 Families, 73 Genera and 209 species within Australia. None of which include subspecies or damselfies, so plenty to keep an entomologist occupied. The Swamp Flat-tail Dragonfly Austrothemis nigrecens, is part of the Libellulidae family and the only species in the Austrothemis genus. It is distinguished from other genera by a small lump on the hind margin of the eye, which may be seen in some photographs (check the rear eye margin halfway down).

Austrothemis nigrecens is one of the most common Dragonflies in my district, being attracted to pools, deeper ephemeral swamps and small slow moving creeks. They are easy to identify by having distinctively flattened abdomens and males being orange/red, females a bright yellow, both with black markings, which as the photos show can vary slightly. They are around 4 cm (1.75”) in head/body length.

Austrothemis nigrecens is distributed widely in the Eastern States, but in WA is restricted to the SW corner where a permanent resident. Interestingly, with most dragonflies the males are more common, but locally the females of this species are considerably more numerous. Dragonflies with their large eyes have virtually 360 degree vision and with their powerful but agile flight, make them highly effective predators on flying insects, which are taken on the wing.