Palemouth
Brachydiplax denticauda
Identification: Body length 26-30 mm. Wingspan 46-54 mm. Colour changes substantially with age. Front of face pale yellow, upper face is iridescent black, upper eyes rich brown. Thorax pale yellowish, with dull dark markings in young adults. Abdomen is short, evenly tapered from base in top view; abdomen of young male mostly dark with paler base; in female, dark with pale-yellow transverse bands at base, and paired yellowing triangular patches on apical half. Male thorax and most of abdomen become completely covered in thick, very pale, bluish powdery coating, with only tip of abdomen black. Thorax and abdomen of mature female have thin powdery coating that partially obscures underlying colour pattern.
Habitat: Lakes, ponds, swamps, slow-flowing rivers with plenty of emergent aquatic plants.
Distribution in SEQ: Sunshine Coast to Gold Coast, within 50 km of coast.
Notes: Males make short flights and perch frequently. Females are often found in vegetation surrounding waterbodies.
Similar local species: Male Black-headed Skimmer (Crocothemis nigrifrons), Chalky Percher (Diplacodes trivialis), Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum).
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