damselfly
Damselflies are flying insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies, which constitute the other odonatan suborder, Anisoptera, but are smaller and have slimmer bodies. Most species fold the wings along ...
in the family
Synlestidae
The Synlestidae are a family of damselflies
commonly known as sylphs or malachites.
commonly known as a tropical needle.
It is
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...
to north-eastern
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, established_ ...
, where it inhabits streams in rainforests.
''Synlestes tropicus'' is a large to very large damselfly, coloured a metallic green-black with pale markings. It perches with its wings partially or fully outspread.
Gallery
Tropical Needle 3874-2.jpg, Male, Davies Creek NP, Qld
Tropical Needle (female) 3938.jpg, Female, Davies Creek NP, Qld
Tropical Needle (female) 3944-2.jpg, Female, view from below
Synlestes tropicus female wings (34600854002).jpg , Female wings
Synlestes tropicus male wings (34723056606).jpg , Male wings
The Australian zoologist (1954) (20342287222).jpg, Nymph of ''Synlestes tropicus''
See also
*
List of Odonata species of Australia
This is a list of species of damselflies and dragonflies recorded in Australia.
Common names of species are linked, beside their scientific names.
The list is split into two groups: damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) and other dragonflies (infr ...