South-eastern Petaltail
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© Leonard Müller
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Petalura
- Species
- gigantea
- Family
- Petaluridae
- Super Family
- Petaluroidea
- Suborder
- Epiproctophora
- Order
- Odonata
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 11-13 cm
Introduction
The South-eastern Petaltail is the second largest dragonfly of south-eastern Australia.
Identification
The South-eastern Petaltail is brown to brownish black and yellow, and has clear wings and a long, thick body. The larvae are semi-aquatic grubs with a soft, pale body and large digging legs.
Habitat
The South-eastern Petaltail lives in wetlands and swamps, heath and coastal forests.
Distribution
The South-eastern Petaltail is found in eastern New South Wales. Some time ago, the South-eastern Petaltail occurred in urban Sydney, along the northern beaches and in Cronulla. It now seems to be restricted to a few localities in the Royal National Park.
Other behaviours and adaptations
Scientists are uncertain exactly how long this species lives as a larva, but it may be as long as 30 years. The South-eastern Petaltail belongs to an ancient group of dragonflies that was common 190 million years ago, at the beginning of the age of the dinosaurs.
