Pygmy Wisp
Agriocnemis pygmaea
Identification: Body length 21-24 mm. Wingspan 22-28 mm. Tiny. Mature male has dark head, with pair of small green spots on top between eyes. Upper synthorax dark brown or black, with thin pale green humeral stripe; lower synthorax greenish. Top of abdomen mostly dark brown or black, tip reddish (sides and apex of A8, A9 and A10). Spots on head, humeral stripe and tip of abdomen becomes dark in older male, and pale powdery coating develops on lower thorax. Young female reddish; top of synthorax bronze, thinly edged with purple; central dark markings on top of abdomen towards tip. Mature female has black top of synthorax and abdomen, with sides of both greenish. In older female, upper side of synthorax becomes dull brown and lower synthorax develops powdery coating. In female, rear margin of prothorax is cut away in centre and has no rear-projecting rim.
Habitat: Ponds, swamps, fringes of dams and lakes with plenty of aquatic vegetation.
Distribution in SEQ: Widespread, but few records in western part.
Similar local species: Females resemble female Red-rumped Wisp (Agriocnemis rubricauda) and female Aurora Bluetail (Ischnura aurora).
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