Austroargiolestes alpinus (Tillyard, 1913) NEW ENGLAND FLATWING Family Argiolestidae
The New England Flatwing is an uncommon damselfly found near swamps associated with mountain streams. I have seen them at two different swamps around Deer Vale. They emerge here in late October and can be seen up until early February. They are not very abundant even in these swamps.
The mature male New England Flatwing has beautiful blue and sometimes mauvish markings.
New England Flatwings are difficult to distinguish from Barrington Flatwings (Austroargiolestes brookhousei). The tips of the anal appendages just meet when the inner bases are parallel in the male New England Flatwing, whereas the tips overlap in the male Barrington Flatwing.
According to Jill Silsby’s “Dragonflies of the World” book (on p97)“Austrioargiolestes alpinus a species of high altitude bogs, changes from blue to purple brown at low temperatures, the darker colour probably helping it absorb heat from sunlight.” This may explain the difference in colour of the markings I have seen on mature males which vary from blue to maroon. Mature females seem to vary from brown to blue or blue- mauve.
The little fellow below was a very interesting character. Instead of performing the usual disappearing trick as you approached, he actually hung very close and appeared to be watching me intently as I sat on the ground. I think I was attracting some prey (flies) for him rather than him actually being interested in me. At any rate, I was able to photograph him closely for over 5 minutes. Notice that his humeral stripes are maroon in colour.