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 Major Groups | Insecta (insects) | Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies) | Lindeniidae
 

Lindeniidae
Ictinogomphus

Major Group: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Lindeniidae (formerly part of Gomphidae)
Genus: Ictinogomphus
This family is represented in Australia by a single genus, Ictinogomphus.

Descriptive Features:

  • all tarsi 2-segmented
  • abdomen deep and almost as wide as long
  • antennae slim, segment 4 greatly reduced, often retracted into long segment 3, segment 3 reaching almost to tip of labrum
  • labium reaching back to level of inner, ventral ridge on procoxa
  • prementum approximately as wide as long
  • ligula evenly curved, regularly toothed, fringed with setae, long on lateral margin
  • palps curved, dentate on inner margin, end hook bluntly pointed
  • wing sheaths reaching end of segment 5 or on to segment 6
  • abdomen hardly longer than wide, widest at segment 6
  • large lateral spines on segments 7-9, smaller lateral spines on segments 3-6, decreasing in size from rear to front
  • large middorsal hooks on segments 1-9, dorsal hook on segment 1 varying in size from low tubercle to small upright spike
  • bases of dorsal hooks on segments 2-5 occupying approx. ½ length of tergum, or less, hooks upright on segments 2-3 or backward-sloping spikes on segments 4-5, hooks on segments 6-9 terminating
  • strong middorsal ridge on each abdominal segment, highest on segment 7
  • epiproct 20-25% longer than paraprocts and cerci
  • Total length: 23.0 - 28.0 mm
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    Ictinogomphus australis

     

    Ictinogomphus australis

    Taxonomic Checklist: Species
    (not all nymphs known)
    Ictinogomphus australis (Selys, 1873)
    Ictinogomphus dobsoni (Watson, 1969)
    Ictinogomphus paulini Watson, 1991

    Distribution: NSW, Qld, NT, WA

    Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 3

    Functional Feeding Group: predators

     

    South Alligator River, Kakadu NT

    Ecology: Adults are commonly known as 'tigers or wingtails'.
    Instream habitat: Ictinogomphus larvae occur in rivers, riverine lagoons and ponds, shallowly burrowing in mud and sand.
    Feeding ecology: Larvae are predators.
    Habit:
    Life history: Ictinogomphus species breed in still or sluggish waters.

     

    Information Sources: Theischinger & Endersby 2009, Theischinger 2000, Houston 1988, Theischinger & Hawking 2006
    Key to Species: Theischinger & Endersby 2009

    Ictinogomphus australis 

    emerging from the larval form

    Ictinogomphus australis 

    teneral adult

    Ictinogomphus australis 

    drying the wings

    Ictinogomphus australis 

    exuvia and new adult