Hemigomphus comitatus

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Zebra vicetail
Zebra Vicetail 9862.jpg
newly emerged, Cairns, Australia

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Gomphidae
Genus: Hemigomphus
Species:
H. comitatus
Binomial name
Hemigomphus comitatus
(Tillyard, 1909)[2]
Hemigomphus comitatus distribution map.svg

Hemigomphus comitatus is a species of dragonfly of the family Gomphidae,[3] known as the zebra vicetail.[4] It is endemic to northern Queensland, Australia, where it inhabits streams and rivers.[5][6]

Description[]

Hemigomphus comitatus is a small dragonfly with black and yellow markings. Its wingspan is 50-55mm and overall length is 40-45mm.[7] The eyes of the adult are green and do not meet at the top of the head. The head of the female has a spine from the occiput just behind the eyes. The synthorax is strongly marked with black and yellow stripes, with the humeral stripe usually being continuous. A black mark along the suture of the synthorax is usually broken above and below the . The abdomen is black with prominent yellow bands, the appendages of the male are yellow and curve inwards at the tip. The wing margin at the base of the hindwing is folded in the male, but uniformly curved in the female.[4]

Distribution[]

Hemigomphus comitatus has been recorded from near Mackay, Queensland to northern regions of Cape York Peninsula, usually along the coastal strip and nearby mountain ranges.[7]

Habitat[]

Hemigomphus comitatus is known to inhabit streams and rivers, not necessarily in rainforest.[4] The exemplar pictured here was found in suburban Cairns near a seasonal storm-water creek.

Gallery[]

  • Male, front quarter

  • Front quarter of teneral female Hemigomphus comitatus

  • Closeup of head showing patterns on the synthorax and spine on the head.

  • Female wings

  • Male wings

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Dow, R.A. (2017). "Hemigomphus comitatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T14278064A59256723. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T14278064A59256723.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Tillyard, R.J. (1909). "On some rare Australian Gomphinae, with descriptions of new species". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 34: 238–255 [245] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. ^ "Species Hemigomphus comitatus (Tillyard, 1909)". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Theischinger, Günther; Hawking, John (2006). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. p. 190. ISBN 978-0-64309-073-6.
  5. ^ Theischinger, Gunther; Endersby, Ian (2009). Identification Guide to the Australian Odonata. Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW. p. 219. ISBN 978-1-74232-475-3.
  6. ^ Watson, J.A.L.; Theischinger, G.; Abbey, H.M. (1991). The Australian Dragonflies: A Guide to the Identification, Distributions and Habitats of Australian Odonata. Melbourne: CSIRO. p. 278. ISBN 0643051368.
  7. ^ a b "Atlas of Living Australia". Retrieved 26 April 2017.
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