Inland ringtail

Description

Austrolestes aridus is an Australian species of damselfly in the family Lestidae, commonly known as an inland ringtail. It is widespread across inland Australia, where it inhabits streams, pools, and ponds. Austrolestes aridus is a medium-sized to large damselfly, the male is light blue and black in colour, with a pale band near the tip of his tail. Austrolestes aridus appears similar to Austrolestes analis which is found across southern Australia. Austrolestes is a genus of medium to large-sized damselflies in the family Lestidae. Austrolestes damselflies sit with their wings folded completely back. Males are usually bright blue and black, the females duller. Members of this genus are found in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific islands. The genus name Austrolestes is derived from the latin word auster meaning south wind, hence south; and the damselfly genus Lestes, which is from the Greek word λῃστής meaning a robber. In 1913, Robin Tillyard described the genus Austrolestes as having characters similar to the very large genus Lestes, which, unlike Austrolestes, sit with their wings outspread.