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Damselflies and dragonflies

Extendable “jaws” on a hinged structure that folds under the head
[Hemianax]. Image: Stephen Moore

Baron dragonfly (Hemianax)

[Hemianax] dragonfly larvae have a long green abdomen, large eyes and the mouthparts lie flat under the head. There are spines on the sid...

[Austrolestes]. Image: Stephen Moore

Blue damselfly (Austrolestes)

[Austrolestes] damselfly larvae have long slender legs, a slender abdomen, and the tail gills have rounded tips with no long hairs. The a...

[Aeshna]. Image: Stephen Moore

Blue-spotted hawker (Aeshna)

[Aeshna] dragonfly larvae have a long abdomen, large eyes and the mouthparts lie flat under the head. There are spines on the sides of th...

[Uropetala]. Image: Stephen Moore

Bush dragonfly (Uropetala)

[Uropetala] is a large dragonfly having a large larva with a long abdomen. The larvae appear heavily armoured (though without spines) and...

[Antipodochlora]. Image: Stephen Moore

Dragonfly (Antipodochlora)

[Antipodochlora] dragonfly larvae have a wide abdomen, with obvious spines along the midline of the dorsal (top) surface. The labial palp...

[Hemicordulia]. Image: Stephen Moore

Dragonfly (Hemicordulia)

[Hemicordulia] dragonfly larvae have a wide abdomen that appears to end abruptly (rather than gradually tapering to a point). There are n...

[Procordulia]. Image: Stephen Moore

Dragonfly (Procordulia)

[Procordulia] dragonfly larvae have a longer abdomen than [Hemicordulia] as the abdomen tapers more gradually towards the end. The abdome...

[Tramea]. Image: Stephen Moore

Dragonfly (Tramea)

[Tramea] dragonfly larvae are best recognised by the very large spines at the end of the abdomen (there are no spines on the dorsal surfa...

[Xanthocnemis]. Image: Stephen Moore

Red damselfly (Xanthocnemis)

[Xanthocnemis] damselfly larvae are easily distinguished by the pointed tail gills with long hairs near the tip.

[Ischnura]. Image: Stephen Moore

Small damselfly (Ischnura)

[Ischnura] damselfly larvae are smaller than [Xanthocnemis] or [Austrolestes], and have pointed tail gills with very short hairs near the...

[Diplacodes]. Image: Stephen Moore

Wandering percher (Diplacodes)

[Diplacodes] dragonfly larvae are best recognised by the protruding eyes, and the lack of any obvious “teeth” on the labial palps (jaw-li...