Zygoptera (damselflies)

Code QO049999

Stream or lake-shore damselflies, generally more robust than Isostictidae and sometimes with orange body markings or with yellow patches on the wings. There are 11 Australian species in a single genus, Nososticta . Distribution north and east Australia, not recorded from Tasmania.

Protoneurid and Coenagrionid larvae are very similar and readily confused. Both have laminate gills without a node or else subnodate, a prementum with setae, a rectangular labial palp with setae, and a moveable hook without setae. Final (and perhaps near-final) instar larvae can be separated on a combination of setal and head characters: the known protoneurid larvae have only one pair of premental setae and the back of the head is rounded, not flared. This combination does not occur in the Australian Coenagrionidae.

Reference:

Hawking, J.H. (1986) Dragonfly larvae of the River Murray system. Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation Technical Report No. 6., Wodonga.