Animal Species:South-eastern Petaltail
The South-eastern Petaltail is the second largest dragonfly of south-eastern Australia.
Identification
The South-eastern Petaltail is brown to brownish black and yellow, and has clear wings and a long, thick body. The larvae are semi-aquatic grubs with a soft, pale body and large digging legs.
Size range
11-13 cm
Distribution
The South-eastern Petaltail is found in eastern New South Wales. Some time ago, the South-eastern Petaltail occurred in urban Sydney, along the northern beaches and in Cronulla. It now seems to be restricted to a few localities in the Royal National Park.
Habitat
The South-eastern Petaltail lives in wetlands and swamps, heath and coastal forests.
Other behaviours and adaptations
Scientists are uncertain exactly how long this species lives as a larva, but it may be as long as 30 years. The South-eastern Petaltail belongs to an ancient group of dragonflies that was common 190 million years ago, at the beginning of the age of the dinosaurs.
Classification
- Species:
- gigantea
- Genus:
- Petalura
- Family:
- Petaluridae
- Superfamily:
- Petaluroidea
- Suborder:
- Epiproctophora
- Order:
- Odonata
- Class:
- Insecta
- Subphylum:
- Uniramia
- Phylum:
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
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Tags dragonfly, dragonflies, insects, arthropods, invertebrates, identification, wildlife of sydney,