Diplacodes bipunctata

Identification: Body length 28-33 mm. Wingspan 44-52 mm. Young adults yellowish or tan, often with narrow pale line along top of thorax. Mature male mostly red; female brownish with dull-red or brownish-orange abdomen. Two dark spots low down on side of synthorax. Wings clear, with small, brown patch at base of hindwings. Top of abdomen has dark central line, thicker on A8 and A9, and expanded to form spots at ends of A3-A7; thinner parts of line obscured by red in older male. Side of abdomen has a row of dark patches, broken in male, continuous and thick in female. Male abdomen conspicuously constricted in middle in top view; female abdomen less constricted.

Distribution in SEQ: Widespread. Very common.

Habitat: Range of standing and slow-flowing waters, including temporary pools in a wide range of habitats, but generally not closed forests. Adults disperse widely and are often found far from water.

Notes: Frequently perches on the ground or low objects. Females lay eggs while in tandem with males.

Similar local species: Scarlet Percher (Diplacodes haematodes), Black-faced Percher (Diplacodes melanopsis), particularly young males and females of both species; Pygmy Percher (Nannodiplax rubra).