Image: Stout Vicetail dragonfly

Stout Vicetail dragonfly

Photographer:

Irene Denton

Rights:

© Irene Denton

Common name:

Stout vicetail dragonfly

Scientific name:

Hemigomphus heteroclytus

Family:

Gomphidae

Order:

Odonata

Location:

Mongarlowe, NSW

Additional information

This dragonfly was found very close to another similar species and caused some confusion when trying to identify. We had to call in the experts, who explained the differences and the fact that these two species may coexist in some locations.

Gunther Theisinger was the expert who assisted with the identifications and the identifications were based mostly on the antehumeral strip and not the superior appendages as it can't really be seen from the top. Also the setal tufts on the sterna of the males cannot be seen. The overriding part of the key is the genitalia.

Last Updated: 3 August 2011