Rhadinosticta simplex

Rhadinosticta simplex
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Clade: Pancrustacea
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Isostictidae
Genus: Rhadinosticta
Species:
R. simplex
Binomial name
Rhadinosticta simplex
(Martin, 1901)
Synonyms
  • Isosticta simplex Martin, 1901

Rhadinosticta simplex is a species of damselfly in the family Isostictidae. It is commonly known as the powdered wiretail. It is located in Australia, where it is fairly common and localised.

Identification

The powdered wiretail is a medium-sized damselfly with a length of 40 millimetres (1.6 in). Its abdomen is very long and slender, and extends well beyond the wing-tips. The damselfly has green eyes, a narrow reddish antehumeral stripe and some narrow broken pale green markings on the side of the thorax. Its abdomen is all black above with distinct pale green sides.

Behaviour

The powdered wiretail has weak fluttery flight. It often flies in shaded areas around vegetation hanging over the stream edge, such as black wattle. Many males in groups can be found perching high up above water.

Distribution

Rhadinosticta simplex has been recorded in Australia from near Cooktown in Queensland to Melbourne in Victoria.

Habitat

Rhadinosticta simplex is found among thick tea-tree beside slow-flowing sections of a river.

Flight period

The damselfly has a flight season from December to April. In Victoria it can be seen in flight during summer and most of autumn. Further north they can emerge earlier.

Similar species

Rhadinosticta simplex is very similar to Rhadinosticta banksi except for more distinct markings on its synthorax, and minor anatomical differences.

Etymology

The genus name Rhadinosticta is derived from the Greek ῥαδινός (rhadinos, "slender") and στικτός (stiktos, "spotted" or "marked"). The suffix -sticta is commonly used in names of taxa within the subfamily Isostictinae.

The species name simplex is Latin for "simple", referring to the arrangement of cells in the wing.

References

  1. ↑ Dow, R.A. (2017). "Rhadinosticta simplex". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T14676025A59256813. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T14676025A59256813.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Martin, R. (1901). "Les odonates du continent australien". Mémoires de la Société Zoologique de France (in French). 14: 220–248 [244] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  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. 1 2 Theischinger, G; Hawking, J (2006). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood Vic.: CSIRO Publishing. p. 74. ISBN 978-0-64309-073-6.
  5. ↑ "Species Rhadinosticta simplex (Martin, 1901)". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  6. ↑ "Atlas of Living Australia, Rhadinosticta simplex".
  7. ↑ Endersby, I. (2012). "Watson and Theischinger: the etymology of the dragonfly (Insecta: Odonata) names which they published". Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales. 145 (443 & 444): 34–53 [47]. doi:10.5962/p.146542. ISSN 0035-9173 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  8. ↑ Endersby, Ian; Fliedner, Heinrich (2015). The Naming of Australia's Dragonflies. Eltham, Victoria, Australia: Busybird Publishing. ISBN 9781925260625.