Diplacodes haematodes

Diplacodes haematodes
Scarlet Percher
A female of Diplacodes haematodes
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Diplacodes
Species: D. haematodes
Binomial name
Diplacodes haematodes
(Burmeister, 1839)
female

Diplacodes haematodes, the Scarlet Percher, is a species of dragonfly that occurs throughout Australia (except Tasmania), Timor, New Guinea, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. It is locally common in habitats with hot sunny exposed sites at or near rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. It often prefers to settle on hot rocks rather than twigs or leaves, and is quite wary.

Male D. haematodes

This is a spectacular species of dragonfly, although small in size. The male is brilliant red, the female yellow-ochre. Females have yellow infuscation suffusing the outer wings, while the males have similar colour at the bases of the wings.

References

  • McCoy, Michael (2010). Reef and rainforest. Collingwood, Vic.: CSIRO Publishing. p. 148. ISBN 0643096957. 
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