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Tasmanian darner

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Tasmanian darner
Female laying her eggs
Male
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Austroaeschna
Species:
A. tasmanica
Binomial name
Austroaeschna tasmanica

The Tasmanian darner, (Austroaeschna tasmanica), is a species of large dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae,[3] which includes some of the world's largest dragonflies. It is found in Tasmania, Australia. The species was first described by Robert Tillyard in 1916 and inhabits streams and rivers.[4]

Also referred to as "hawkers", the name "darner" derives from the fact that the female abdomen looks like a sewing needle, as it cuts into a plant stem when the female dragonfly lays her eggs through her ovipositor.

The Tasmanian darner is a stout, dark dragonfly with a very dark colouring and light markings. It appears similar to the lesser Tasmanian darner, Austroaeschna hardyi.[4]

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References

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  1. ^ Dow, R.A. (2017). "Austroaeschna tasmanica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T14255899A59256413. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T14255899A59256413.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Tillyard, R.J. (1916). "Life-histories and descriptions of Australian Aeschninae, with a description of a new form of Telephlebia by Herbert Campion". Journal of the Linnean Society of London. Zoology. 33: 1–83 [49]. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1916.tb00253.x – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. ^ "Species Austroaeschna tasmanica Tillyard, 1916". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b Theischinger, Günther; Hawking, John (2021). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. ISBN 9781486313747.