Anisoptera (dragonflies)

Code QO159999

Huge dragonflies to about 160mm wingspan. There are four Australian species in the endemic genus Petalura . The family otherwise is known from New Zealand and the Americas. The larvae are very long lived (up to 30 years according to one unpublished estimate) and construct permanent burrows in sphagnum bog, or in one species in the banks of rainforest streams. From these they make hunting forays on the surface at night and in wet weather.

Petalurid larvae are generally aeshnid-like, but with stout antennae and the moveable hook also stout, not elongate.