#common bluetail

[dysfunctionalphotography]

Common Bluetail, Perth WA.

[onenicebugperday]

@fastman27 submitted: Who is this distinguished fellow?

Location: [removed] (Please remove.)

Definitely a damselfly, and maybe a common bluetail, but I'd be more confident about that ID with a clearer photo :)

[helluvatimes]

A Honeysuckle Guest

A Common Bluetail (Ischnura senegalensis) calling on a Aurea Cape Honeysuckle plant after the rain. Photo credit: Jonathan Chua.

[fizzygoldfish]

[helluvatimes]

Cannibalism On The Bay

A damselfly that was still alive but barely in the Kingfisher Lake. Photo credit: Jonathan Chua.

A female Common Bluetail had her abdomen chewed off at the 1st segment by one of her own. What happened next could just make some sick; after devouring the abdomen, her cannibalistic kin came back for her head. A sad, ugly reality of life in this fallen world.

The damselfly was about a metre (a little over 1 yard) out on the lake and was back-lit by the late morning sun. A 2-stop positive exposure compensation was apparently still not sufficient so some local brightening was needed in post to adequately light up the damselfly.

[helluvatimes]

In-depth Work

A male Common Bluetail clasping on tightly as his mate laid eggs underwater. Photo credit: Jonathan Chua.

[fizzygoldfish]

Common bluetail (f) Ischnura senegalensis

[astronomy-to-zoology]

"Common Bluetail" (Ischnura heterosticta)

Not to be confused with I. senegalensis which shares the same common name, Ischnura heterosticta is a species of pond damselfly (Coenagrionidae) which is native to Australia, where it occurs north of Brisbane down to the east coast, through Victoria and Australia. It is also found in the south west of Western Australia. Common bluetails are typically found near slow-running or still water, and are salt tolerant. Like other damselflies common bluetails are predators and will feed on a variety of insects. 

Classification:

Animalia-Arthropoda-Insecta-Odonata-Zygoptera-Coenagrionoidea-Coenagrionidae-Ischnura-I. heterosticta

Images: fir0002 and Toby Hudson