Foxton damselfly

Discuss natural history subjects not strictly related to birds. Reports of interesting mammal, reptile, and invertebrate sightings are welcome.
GrahamB
Posts: 167
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:29 am
Location: Waikanae, Kapiti Coast

Foxton damselfly

Postby GrahamB » Sat Jan 28, 2017 7:16 pm

Hi,

I wondered if anyone can identify this damselfly photographed by Claire at Foxton Estuary today? I'm completely ignorant about the NZ Odonata fauna.
Many thanks
Cheers,
GrahamB
Image
Ian Southey
Posts: 1100
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 5:45 pm

Re: Foxton damselfly

Postby Ian Southey » Sat Jan 28, 2017 10:05 pm

I'd call that a Blue Damselfly Austrolestes colensonis

Ian
GrahamB
Posts: 167
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:29 am
Location: Waikanae, Kapiti Coast

Re: Foxton damselfly

Postby GrahamB » Sat Jan 28, 2017 11:06 pm

Many thanks Ian!
Reminds of the little Coenagrion species back in the UK.
Cheers,
GrahamB
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David Riddell
Posts: 961
Joined: Sat Jul 18, 2009 3:46 pm

Re: Foxton damselfly

Postby David Riddell » Sun Jan 29, 2017 9:18 am

I'd agree with Ian. The reason it isn't terribly blue is that it's a female. There are some nice pictures at https://inaturalist.nz/taxa/126269-Aust ... wse_photos, including mating pairs.

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