Ischnura heterosticta, one of at least two species with the common name common bluetail,[3] is an Australian damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae.[4] It is the largest of the three Ischnura species in Australia.[5] They are generally found near slow-running or still water.[6] The species is also salt tolerant.[7] It flies from October to March.[5]
| Ischnura heterosticta | |
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| Male Ischnura heterosticta | |
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| Female Ischnura heterosticta | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Suborder: | Zygoptera |
| Family: | Coenagrionidae |
| Genus: | Ischnura |
| Species: | I. heterosticta
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| Binomial name | |
| Ischnura heterosticta (Burmeister, 1842)[2]
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Description
editThe common bluetail is a small damselfly. Most males have blue eyes, a blue thorax, and a blue ringed tail. The females have a variety of forms including green, brown, black, and a form with very similar colourings to the male.[5]
Distribution
editIn Australia, Ischnura heterosticta is found throughout the entire continent including Tasmania.[3]
Gallery
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Female, brown form -
Female, blue form -
Common bluetails mating -
Female wings -
Male wings
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References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ischnura heterosticta.
Wikispecies has information related to Ischnura heterosticta.
- ^ Dow, R.A. (2017). "Ischnura heterosticta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T83124880A83377010. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T83124880A83377010.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ Burmeister, Hermann (1839). Handbuch der Entomologie (in Latin). Vol. 2. Berlin: T.C.F. Enslin. pp. 805–862 [820] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
- ^ a b Theischinger, Gunther; Hawking, John (2006). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood Vic.: CSIRO. p. 96. ISBN 0643090738.
- ^ "Species Ischnura heterosticta (Burmeister, 1842)". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
- ^ a b c Tillyard, R J (1905). "On dimorphism in the female of Ischnura heterosticta, Burm". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 30: 302–306. doi:10.5962/bhl.part.12903.
- ^ "Common Bluetail Damselfly - Ischnura heterosticta". brisbaneinsects.com. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
- ^ Kefford, Ben J. (2005-08-22). "Growth of the damselfly Ischnura heterosticta is better in saline water than freshwater" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 30, 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-28.