Australian Tiger
Ictinogomphus australis
-27.4761, 152.979
Field Notes
Description:
Australian Tigers are yellow and black in colour, and are a species of clubtail dragonfly in the genus Ictinogomphus. It is the largest breed of clubtail in Australia. Males are identified from females by two curved flaps below segment eight of the abdomen, but even from these photos I am unable to determine if this spotting is male or female. Anyone? Australian Tigers are common on large ponds and slow flowing waters. Body length for both males and females is the same - about 65 - 70 mm. My first encounter with this species.
Habitat:
Spotted perched on a water lily at the pond in the Mt. Coot-tha Botanical Gardens in Brisbane QLD. This dragonfly is perched atop a Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea caerulea ssp. zanzibarensis), an invasive aquatic plant from Africa.
Notes:
Thanks to my friend and her keen eyesight, because she spotted this dragonfly. She kept saying to me "It's there, it's there!", but it took me forever to see where "there" was. I'm surprised she didn't push me in!
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