Griseargiolestes fontanus (Tillyard, 1913)

SPRINGS FLATWING

Family Megapodagrionidae

A male Springs Flatwing at Deer Vale on December 4th 2014

On the first sunny day after many rainy and cloudy days, I ventured down to the nearest spring-fed dam to see what was about. A bright blue blur appeared just in front of me and materialised into the most beautiful male Whitewater Rockmaster. Of course I hadn’t brought the camera so bolted back to the house to get it. The Rockmaster was no where to be seen when I returned.
While having a very thorough look for the Rockmaster, I spotted a Flatwing damselfly with very yellow thoracic markings. I thought it might have been a Milky Flatwing which I have photographed at this dam previously. However the markings were different to the Milky Flatwing and it had no pruinescence.

There was just one male sitting near where the water from a spring entered the dam. Later that day I revisited the dam The place where I saw the Flatwing was now in shadow so I followed the trickle of water up towards the spring. In a sunny spot I saw 2 of the Springs Flatwings flying around.

A male Springs Flatwing at Deer Vale on December 4th 2014

The Springs Flatwing must be very territorial, as a number of times I saw 2 individuals flying head on at each other. I assumed they were males . At least one was a male. However when I followed trying to get a decent view of them, a female with a laterally bent abdomen flew up from behind the log I was climbing over. I am wondering if she was in the recent battle and if that’s where she sustained her injury?
This dam is surrounded on 3 sides by bush mainly T tree which is quite thick around the spring. It gets mainly morning and early afternoon sun.
Fortunately these small damselflies stay perched in one spot for quite a while and allow you to get very close if you approach slowly.

A male Springs Flatwing at Deer Vale on December 4th 2014

A female Springs Flatwing at Deer Vale January 6th 2015

Springs Flatwings mating at Deer Vale January 17th 2013

The male Springs Flatwing flying at the female just after mating at Deervale
January 17th 2013.

A female Springs Flatwing in egg laying mode at Deer Vale on January
6th 2013.

In January 2013, I saw a male and female Springs Flatwing pair in mid-air. They flew a short distance in tandem landing on a stalk and mating for around 4 minutes before separating.Shortly after the male flew straight at the female as if to get her to move. She was still perched on the same stalk where they had mated. Perhaps he was telling her to get on with the job of laying! This pair then disappeared from sight.
Another pair that I saw mating earlier in the month, mated for around 6 ½ minutes. After separating the male stayed closeby watching and guarding the female. The female rested on a a couple of closeby perches for over 10 minutes before laying eggs around the shallow water flowing from a spring.