Hemicordulia tau

Tau Emerald at Paddys River, ACT

Hemicordulia tau at Paddys River, ACT - 28 Feb 2021
Hemicordulia tau at Paddys River, ACT - 28 Feb 2021
Hemicordulia tau at Paddys River, ACT - 28 Feb 2021
Hemicordulia tau at Paddys River, ACT - 28 Feb 2021
Hemicordulia tau at Paddys River, ACT - 28 Feb 2021
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Identification history

Hemicordulia tau 15 Mar 2021 HarveyPerkins
Hemicordulia tau 14 Mar 2021 BIrdsinCanberra

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User's notes

While walking around the side of the pond I must have disturbed a Tau Emerald that had recently emerged from its aquatic nymph stage, because it tried to fly but went straight into the water, where it laid on its side. I fished the insect out and noticed that one of its forewings was folded over a back wing but it quickly flapped its wings to rectify that problem. It was very subdued on the stick I had used to rescue it, not trying to fly away. It used its forelimbs to wipe its eyes a few times but was unable to dislodge a large water droplet on the front of its face. Its colouration had still not fully developed either, with the blue being very light. I propped the stick in the reeds with the insect facing the sun to let it dry out and warm up.

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  • 50mm or larger Animal size

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