Archaeosynthemis orientalis

 

 

Archaeosynthemis orientalis

EASTERN BROWN TIGERTAIL

Family Synthemistidae

 
 
 
 
A female Eastern Brown Tigertail near Biscuit Creek Ebor NSW on February 1st 2017.
Archaeosynthemis orientalis
A female Eastern Brown Tigertail near Biscuit Creek Ebor NSW on

It had been exceptionally dry in the Armidale – Guyra area for the previous 2 years (2014-2016). A number of creeks looked completely dry including one near the Native Dog Creek rest area in the Cathedral Rocks National park. It didn’t look good for dragonfly hunting.

A friend and I came across a very dry swamp near this national park and to our surprise noticed a number of dragonflies flying there. Imagine our delight when we found it was the Eastern Brown Tigertail,Quite uncommon dragonfly. a

There were 6 or 7 males flying intermittently, low over the swamp and having a few disputes over this quite small habitat. A pair of these Tigertails joined and mated in midair and eventually landed on some low vegetation in the swamp. When they separated the male disappeared while the female rested nearby. I wondered where the female would lay her eggs as it seemed so dry.

Archaeosynthemis orientalis
A male Eastern Brown Tigertail near Biscuit Creek Ebor NSW on March 15th 2016.
A pair of Eastern Brown Tigertails mating on February 1st 2017.
A male Eastern Brown Tigertail near Biscuit Creek Ebor NSW on March 15th 2016.
A female Eastern Brown Tigertail just after mating, near Biscuit Creek Ebor NSW on March 15th 2016.
A male Eastern Brown Tigertail transferring sperm to its secondary sexual organ near Biscuit Creek NSW on February 1st 2017.

I returned to this swamp on February 1st 2017. There were 2 male Eastern Brown Tigertails having territorial disputes over the main swamp. 

At an adjacent tiny swampy area there were 2 or 3 males. I observed at least 2 females mating several times. One female laid only a few eggs before being grabbed  again  by a male.

While I was standing in this little wet area I heard a strange buzzing sound but  looking around could see nothing nearby until I looked down to see a female Eastern Brown Tigertail laying eggs in my footprint right next to my foot!!

A female Eastern Brown Tigertail laying eggs in my footprint, February 1st 2017.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

I watched another pair mate, but when these 2  separated, the female flew away to another swampy area where there were no males patrolling or guarding a territory.  This female was able to spend a lot more time laying eggs without being bothered by males.

Another female laying eggs without being bothered by males, February 1st 2017.

The drought has only got worse over 2019-2020 . I haven’t seen any Archaeosynthemis orientalis here since 2017.