Ischnura heterosticta

Ischnura heterosticta
Male Ischnura heterosticta
Female Ischnura heterosticta
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Suborder:	Zygoptera
Superfamily:	Coenagrionoidea
Family:	Coenagrionidae
Genus:	Ischnura
Species:	I. heterosticta
Binomial name
Ischnura heterosticta (Burmeister, 1842)

Ischnura heterosticta, one of at least two species with the common name common bluetail, is a common Australian damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae. It is the largest of the six Ischnura species in Australia.^[1] They are generally found near slow-running or still water.^[2] The species is also salt tolerant.^[3] It flies from October to March.^[1]

Description

Female, brown form

Female, blue form

Head of the damselfly

The common bluetail is a small damselfly. Most males have blue eyes, a blue thorax, and a blue ringed tail. The females have a variety of forms including green, brown, black, and a form with very similar colourings to the male.^[1][4]

Distribution

In Australia, it is found throughout the entire continent including Tasmania.^[5]

References

1. Tillyard, R J (1905). "On dimorphism in the female of Ischnura heterosticta, Burm". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 30: 302–306.
2. "Common Bluetail Damselfly - Ischnura heterosticta". brisbaneinsects.com. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
3. Kefford, Ben J. (2005-08-22). "Growth of the damselfly Ischnura heterosticta is better in saline water than freshwater" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 30, 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-28.
4. "Ischnura heterosticta (Common Bluetail) - Damselfly Photo Gallery". rnr.id.au. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
5. Theischinger, Gunther; Hawking, John (2006). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood Vic.: CSIRO. p. 92. ISBN 0643090738.