SPORTSMAN CREEK CONSERVATION AREA

Image of  a female Bog Skimmer Dragonfly, also known as the Fiery Skimmer, the males are red in colour. With a body length of 45mm the females have a golden thorax and brown abdomen and come from the large (Libellulidae) family of  Percher, Skimmer and Glider Dragonflys.

I.D. courtesy of Melissa Murray.  Interpretive Officer,  Australian Museum.

Further reference;http:// www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_dragons/BogSkimmer.htm

Image of a large 70mm male Common Glider Dragonfly, a first time sighting on the wildlife refuge.

I.D. courtesy of Martyn Robinson.   Naturalist – Australian Museum.

Further reading- http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_dragons/CommonGlider.htm

With a body length of 50mm this image of possibly a male (Hemicordulia tau ) Dragonfly taken at the dam on the wildlife refuge. They are predators that eat mosquitoes and other small insects like flies, bees and ants.

These Dragonfly inhabit a wide range of still waters. A first time sighting at Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge.

Image taken near Sportsman Creek. “They can be found in two forms either yellow-brown or blue like the male. Female is yellow with a black line running along the top of the abdomen. Hindwings are smoky brown”.

Further reference; www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_dragons/BlueScarlet.htm

Found near the billabong on Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge. They lay their eggs in water and are sensitive to pollution. Depending on species the larva spend between one and three years in the water and the adults live for only a few weeks.

Further reading; www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_dragons_BlueSprite.htm

Image of a mature male taken near dam on the wildlife refuge. “With red eyes, red face, red thorax, red abdomen and red marks on wing tips’.

Further reference; www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_dragons/Common Percher.htm

Found around the still waters of the billabong. This dragonfly grows to 50mm and has yellowish to greenish yellow colours.

I.D. courtesy of Ella Minton.  Interpretive Officer, Australian Museum.

Further reading; www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_dragons/LIBELLULIDAE.htm

With golden wings and brown patterns this uncommon visitor found on mixed mature grasses at Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge. They are very slow fliers but change directions rapidly.  Males and females look the same.

Scroll image to enlarge and magnify.

Further Reference;  http://brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_dragons/BandedFlutterer.htm.