Tasmanian darner

The Tasmanian darner, (Austroaeschna tasmanica), is a species of large dragonfly in the family Telephlebiidae,[2][4] which includes some of the world's largest dragonflies. It is found in Tasmania, Australia.[5] The species was first described by Robert Tillyard in 1916 and inhabits streams and rivers.[4]

Tasmanian darner
Female laying her eggs
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Telephlebiidae
Genus: Austroaeschna
Species:
A. tasmanica
Binomial name
Austroaeschna tasmanica

Also referred to as "hawkers", the name "darner" derives from the fact that the female abdomen looks like a sewing needle, as it cuts into a plant stem when the female dragonfly lays her eggs through her ovipositor.

The Tasmanian darner is a stout, dark dragonfly with a very dark colouring and light markings. It appears similar to the lesser Tasmanian darner, Austroaeschna hardyi.[4]

  • Female wings
  • Male wings

References
  1. Dow, R.A. (2017). "Austroaeschna tasmanica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T14255899A59256413. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T14255899A59256413.en.
  2. "Species Austroaeschna (Austroaeschna) tasmanica Tillyard, 1916". Australian Faunal Directory. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. 17 February 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  3. Tillyard, R.J. (1916). "Life-histories and descriptions of Australian Aeschninae, with a description of a new form of Telephlebia by Herbert Campion". Journal of the Linnean Society of London. Zoology. 33: 1–83 [49] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  4. Theischinger G, Hawking J (2006). The Complete Field Guide To Dragonflies of Australia. CSIRO Publishing. ISBN 978-0-643-09073-6.
  5. http://www.ces.csiro.au/aicn/name_s/b_511.htm
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