Wandering Percher Dragonfly: Diplacodes bipunctata

Wandering Percher
Diplacodes bipunctata
Female, paler than red male
Note the two black markings on the sides of the thorax
Pale rectangle on the thorax at the mid dorsal line base of both pair of wings
Black markings on each abdominal segment

Wandering Percher
Diplacodes bipunctata

Wandering Percher
Diplacodes bipunctata

Location: South Western Australia

Season: Summer, December

Order: Odonata 

Suborder: Epiprocta 

Infraorder: Anisoptera 

Family: Libellulidae

Genus: Diplacodes

Diplacodes Bipunctata

Our garden had a lot of these teneral dragonflies flashing their new delicate wings in the sunlight this summer. Wandering Percher is a small dragonfly, 3 - 4 cms in length. The hallmark of the species is the two black dots on the sides of the thorax, hence the name D. bipunctata. The eyes, thorax, abdomen are orangish red in colour. There are black markings on each abdominal segment distinguishing it from Scarlet Percher which has no black markings. The female is paler, more yellow than red. The female has a rectangular pale spot on thorax, in the mid dorsal line, extending to the pterothorax, base of both pairs of wings. Young males are yellow and turn red as they mature. Yellow colour helps the young to blend in the bush for protection.

24/11/2015 ETA: mating Wandering Perchers, the female is laying eggs into the water.

Reference: Ecology Solutions, Brisbane Insects