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 Major Groups | Insecta (insects) | Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies) | Argiolestidae
 

Argiolestidae

Major Group: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Argiolestidae

Descriptive Features:

  • prementum longer than wide
  • premental ligula with well developed median cleft
  • no premental setae
  • paraglossae absent
  • movable hook of labial palp lacking setae
  • caudal gills leaf-like, spread horizontally, with or without terminal stylus or filament
  • abdomen slender
  • Total length: 14.0 - 26.0 mm

      • Taxonomic Checklist: Genera
      Archiargiolestes
      Austroargiolestes
      Griseargiolestes
      Miniargiolestes
      Podopteryx

      Distribution: SW WA, NSW, Vic, Qld. Austroargiolestes is endemic.

      Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 5

      Functional Feeding Group: predators

      Ecology: Adults are commonly known as 'flatwings'.
      Instream habitat: Argiolestid nymphs occur in streams, swamps, boggy seepages, sphagnum bogs, peat bogs, margins of small streams and possibly dune lakes, including streams that dry to pools. They are found amongst submerged vegetation.
      Feeding ecology: Nymphs are predators.
      Habit:
      Life history: Females of Austroargiolestes isabellae lay their eggs into the soggy bark of floating wood and snags, near the water surface. Eggs hatch after 21 days. Nymphs undergo seven to eight instars over a period of 37 weeks. The first instar may be very brief. Nymphs produce wing buds after ten weeks. The final instar takes half the nymphal development period. Adults emerge on vegetation above the water. Females of Podopteryx selysi lay their eggs on moss-covered stones or bushes. The Adults live for at least seven months, in Northern Queensland from October to April.
       
       
      Information Sources: Kalkman & Theischinger 2013, Hawking & Theischinger 1999, Houston 1988, Murray 1992, Watson & Dyce 1978, Theischinger & Hawking 2006
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