Nannodiplax rubra

Identification: Body length 21-25 mm. Wingspan 36-39 mm. Very small. Young male and female are ochre-yellow. Side of synthorax has two dark spots. Abdomen has central dark line, expanded into broader blotches towards rear of segments; series of oblique black markings along sides. Adults become brownish orange and eventually red with age; thorax is a duller, brownish red. Wings clear, except for brownish patch at base of hindwings. In mature adults, abdomen is solid red with dark markings reduced to row of oblique black patches on sides, and sometimes a central line of tiny, paired black spots on top. Male abdomen in top view evenly tapered from base; female abdomen stouter, broadest in middle.

Habitat: A range of standing and flowing waters.

Notes: Frequently perches on the ground or low vegetation.

Distribution in SEQ: Sunshine Coast to Gold Coast, mostly within 50 km of coast; more common on Sunshine Coast and offshore sand islands.

Similar local species: Wandering Percher (Diplacodes bipunctata), Scarlet Percher (Diplacodes haematodes), Black-faced Percher (Diplacodes melanopsis). L-spot Basker (Aethriamanta nymphaeae) and Square-spot Basker (Aethriamanta circumsignata) males are larger, with no line of black markings on side of abdomen.