Dragonfly

Austrogomphus guerini

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DESCRIPTION

Slender form. Black with vivid yellow, cream or green markings. Short, spiny legs. Huge eyes.

The Austrogomphus guerini dragonfly is often found near waterways. All dragonflies are carnivorous during all stages of life. Diet includes water insects, tiny fish and tadpoles. Prey is taken on the wing, the swooping style of the larger dragonflies (as is this species) earns them the name "mosquito-hawks". Dragonflies have excellent sight and can recognise members of the opposite sex - up to 40 metres away. They can reach lightening speed - up to 50km per hour. During courtship dragonflies fly together, the male flies at front and grips the female on the top of her head using specialised tail claspers. To mate, the female loops her body forward and inserts her tail on the male's sperm pouch. Male and female pairs may continue to fly together until the female is ready to lay eggs. During egg laying the male supports the female as she dips her tail into water to deposit a string of eggs.