Austroaeschna pulchra (Tillyard, 1909))

FOREST DARNER

Family Telephlebiidae

A male Forest Darner at Deer Vale NSW on February 27th 2012.

A female Forest Darner at Deer Vale NSW on January 15th 2015.

This Darner is probably the easiest species in the genus Austroaeschna to identify due to the very distinctive pattern of white patches edged in black along its abdomen. The female Forest Darner has 5 black-lined white spots along each side of its abdomen whereas the male has 6. This is easier to see from a side view.

Dorsal view of the anal appendages of a male Forest Darner.

A male Forest Darner at Deer Vale NSW on February 19th 2012.

A female Forest Darner at Deer Vale NSW on April 1st 2012.

I saw one female Forest Darner flying in a sunny clearing adjacent to some cool temperate rainforest at Deer Vale NSW. It landed low down on some grass several times before doing the disappearing trick. The stripes on its synthorax had a greenish tinge which was also seen in the male flying above the creek at Ebor.

A male Forest Darner flying along Rigney Creek at Ebor NSW on March 24th 2012.

A Forest Darner laying eggs at Deer Vale NSW on January 28th 2014.

I was lucky to be at our creek when a female Forest Darner arrived and started laying eggs in the bank at the edge of the creek. It did not stay for long. Notice how the markings on this female are a bright yellowy-green.