Austrolestes leda is an Australian species of damselfly in the family Lestidae,[4] commonly known as a wandering ringtail.[5] It is found across eastern Australia where it inhabits slow and still water.[6]

Wandering ringtail
Male
Female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Clade: Pancrustacea
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Lestidae
Genus: Austrolestes
Species:
A. leda
Binomial name
Austrolestes leda
(Selys, 1862)[2]
Synonyms[3]
  • Lestes leda Selys, 1862

Austrolestes leda is a medium-sized to large damselfly, the male is light blue and black.[7]

Etymology

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The genus name Austrolestes combines the prefix austro- (from Latin auster, meaning “south wind”, hence “southern”) with Lestes, a genus name derived from Greek λῃστής (lēstēs, “robber”).[8]

The species name leda is named after Leda, a figure from Greek mythology.[9]

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See also

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References

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  1. Dow, R.A. (2017). "Austrolestes leda". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T87534560A87539979. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T87534560A87539979.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. Selys-Longchamps, E. (1862). "Synopsis des Agrionines, seconde légion: Lestes". Bulletin de la Classe des Science, Académie Royale de Belgique. 2 (in French). 13: 288–338 [331].
  3. Paulson, D.; Schorr, M.; Abbott, J.; Bota-Sierra, C.; Deliry, C.; Dijkstra, K.-D.; Lozano, F. "World Odonata List". OdonataCentral. University of Alabama. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  4. "Species Austrolestes leda (Selys, 1862)". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  5. Theischinger, Günther; Hawking, John (2006). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood, Victoria, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. p. 36. ISBN 978-0-64309-073-6.
  6. Theischinger, Gunther; Endersby, Ian (2009). Identification Guide to the Australian Odonata (PDF). Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW. p. 205. ISBN 978-1-74232-475-3.
  7. 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. ISBN 0-643-05136-8.
  8. Endersby, Ian (2012). "Etymology of the Dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata) named by R.J. Tillyard, F.R.S." Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 134: 1–16.
  9. Endersby, Ian; Fliedner, Heinrich (2015). The Naming of Australia's Dragonflies. Eltham, Victoria, Australia: Busybird Publishing. ISBN 9781925260625.