Emperor in Flight - Ben Twist Click to enlarge image
Emperor in Flight - Ben Twist This 'spineless' Australian Emperor (Hemianax papuensis) is a powerful predator and one of Australia's largest insects. As I watched its fast, flitting motion I knew the auto-focus wouldn't even come close to keeping up. I needed to deftly and precisely manually focus as I panned to follow its erratic flight. Up Close & Spineless 2010 - Open Category Image: Ben Twist
© Ben Twist

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Hemianax
    Species
    papuensis
    Family
    Aeshnidae
    Super Family
    Aeshnoidea
    Suborder
    Epiproctophora
    Order
    Odonata
    Class
    Insecta
    Subphylum
    Uniramia
    Phylum
    Arthopoda
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    10 cm - 11 cm

Introduction

The Australian Emperor is a large, common, pale brown to yellow dragonfly with dark brown mottling and clear wings.

Habitat

The Australian Emperor lives in urban areas, fresh water, forests, heath.

Distribution

The Australian Emperor is found throughout Australia and the South Pacific.


Other behaviours and adaptations

The larvae of the Australian Emperor are usually found on water plants and are active predators that stalk prey and grow quickly.