Zygoptera (damselflies)

Code QO079999

Medium to very large damselflies which occur in running or still waters, swamps and seeps. Two of the largest species, black and pink adults to 90mm wingspan, genus Podopteryx , breed in tree holes in north-east Queensland rainforests. Most other species are black with yellow, blue or reddish markings. In some species, the older adults develop a blue or whitish pruinescence. The family occurs throughout eastern Australia and in the south-west.

Megapodagrionid larvae have large leaf-like gills, generally more than half the abdomen in length, without a node and without a fine terminal taper. The gills are held horizontally against the substrate. The laterals may be curved so to fit against the median gill, forming a loosely-defined tail fan.

Reference:

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