Griseargiolestes eboracus (Tillyard, 1913)

GREY-CHESTED FLATWING

Family Megapodagrionidae

A mature male Grey-chested Flatwing at Deer Vale NSW on February 27th 2012.

This is a small damselfly which when young is a beautiful metallic green with cream to yellow markings and white pterostigmas. As they age their markings become partly obscured by a pale pruinescence on the synthorax. Pterostigmas darken in older males to a pinkish colour.

A young male Grey-chested Flatwing at Deer Vale on November 24th 2013.

A young male Grey-chested Flatwing at Deer Vale on November 12th 2011.

A female Grey-chested Flatwing with anal appendages enlarged in inset. Photo taken at Deer Vale, NSW on October 20th 2011.

Generally Grey-chested Flatwings are found in vegetation at boggy seepages and sphagnum bogs. These damselflies can be seen as adults from October to March in northeastern NSW. They are abundant in Deer Vale NSW.

Male inferior appendages are yellowish, as is the base of the female valves adjacent to segment 9. The superior anal appendages of the male do not have a ventral spur as found in species of the genus Austroargiolestes.

A young male showing yellowish inferior anal appendages.Photo taken at Deervale on December 29th 2010.

Wings of a male Grey-chested Flatwing at Deervale November 12th 2011.

The genus Griseoargiolestes usually has 2 but sometimes 3 cells in the discoidal fieldof the wings between the discoidal cell and the level of the subnodus. See inset in the accompanying photo. G eboracus seems to have mostly 3 cells in this position.

A female Grey-chested Flatwing wet with raindrops at Deer Vale on November 11th 2011.

Grey-chested Flatwings are often seen in loose groups on suitable low vegetation. It is relatively easy to photograph them as they don't usually fly very far.

Grey-chested Flatwings at Deer Vale on December 29th 2010.

A pair of Grey-chested Flatwings whichhave just separated after mating at Deer Vale NSW on February 22nd 2015.

A short while after mating the female Grey-chested Flatwing started laying eggs.The male kept watch close by. I have only seen this behaviour once, so am not sure if it is common for the male to do non-contact guarding.

A male Grey-chested Flatwing non-contact guarding a female which is laying eggs at Deer Vale NSW on October 9th 2014.

A female Grey-chested Flatwing laying eggs at Deer Vale, NSW on October 9th 2014.