#761 - Austrolestes analis - Slender Ringtail
Huh - there’s a thing. Turns out I’ve never actually done a TIGTIDAW post about A. analis before. I’m a bit surprised - I know I’ve photographed them before - although, to be far, this is the first time I’ve got actually worthy photos of one.
A. analis can be distinguished from other black and tan local damselflies by the mostly black head - no pale marks behind the eyes - and by the shape of the narrow bands on the thorax.
The species -found across all of Southern Australian, and Tasmania, was first described by French entomolgist Jules Pierre Rambur in 1862, and is usually seen in Spring, Summer, and Autumn near lakes, slow flowing rivers and adjacent vegetation. So what this lady was doing on top of a hill is anybody’s guess. Although, to be fair, it was near Water Corp property. Active at twilight, which is a little unusual for damselflies.
Beeliar, Perth
