Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Suborder Zygoptera Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Order Odonata Family Isostictidae | |
Rhadinosticta simplex is a species of damselfly in the family Isostictidae. It is commonly known as the powdered wiretail. It is located in Australia, where it is fairly common and localised.
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Identification
The powdered wiretail is a medium-sized damselfly with a length of 40 millimetres (1.6 in). Its abdomen is very long and slender, and extends well beyond the wing-tips. The damselfly has green eyes, a narrow reddish antehumeral stripe and some narrow broken pale green markings on the side of the thorax. Its abdomen is all black above with distinct pale green sides.
Behaviour
The powdered wiretail has weak fluttery flight. It often flies in shaded areas around vegetation hanging over the stream edge, such as black wattle. Many males in groups can be found perching high up above water.
Distribution
Rhadinosticta simplex has been recorded in Australia from near Cooktown in Queensland to Melbourne in Victoria.
Habitat
R. simplex is found among thick tea-tree beside slow-flowing sections of a river.
Flight period
The damselfly has of flight season from December to April. In Victoria it can be seen in flight during summer and most of autumn. Further north they can emerge earlier.
Similar species
R. simplex is very similar to Rhadinosticta banksi except for more distinct markings on its synthorax, and minor anatomical differences.