Sydney Hawk Dragonfly

Sydney Hawk Dragonfly. Photo: L.Mueller

Scientific name

Austrocordulia leonardi

Status in NSW

Endangered.

Characteristics

The Sydney Hawk Dragonfly is a black and yellow dragonfly with clear wings spanning 60-70mm, and with an adult abdomen length of 35-40mm. The aquatic larvae have a body length of 22-24mm and are distinguished from the similar Eastern Hawk Dragonfly, Austrocordulia refracta, by a uniformly arched abdomen and distinctive abdominal colour pattern.

Species similar in appearance

Eastern Hawk Dragonfly, Austrocordulia refracta.

Size

Wing span 60-70mm.

Distribution


Habitat

The Sydney Hawk Dragonfly spends most of its life underwater as an aquatic larva, before metamorphosing and emerging from the water as an adult. Adults are thought to only live for several weeks or a few months.

The Sydney Hawk Dragonfly has specific habitat requirements, and has only ever been collected from deep river pools with cooler water and permanent flow. It is strictly a diurnal dragonfly that requires open, sunlit space. Larvae are found under rocks where they coexist with the Eastern Hawk Dragonfly.

Syd Hawk DF Habitat (Photo: A. Grieve)
Syd Hawk DF Habitat (Photo: A. Grieve)
Syd Hawk DF Habitat (Photo: A. Grieve)
Syd Hawk DF Habitat (Photo: A. Grieve)
Syd Hawk DF Habitat (Photo: A. Grieve)
Syd Hawk DF Habitat (Photo: A. Grieve)
Syd Hawk DF Habitat (Photo: A. Grieve)
Syd Hawk DF Habitat (Photo: A. Grieve)
Syd Hawk DF Habitat (Photo: A. Grieve)
Syd Hawk DF Habitat (Photo: A. Grieve)
Syd Hawk DF Habitat (Photo: A. Grieve)
Syd Hawk DF Habitat (Photo: A. Grieve)

Why is the Sydney Hawk Dragonfly threatened?

  • River regulation and alteration of flows have caused the disappearance of natural deep pools;
  • Habitat loss and degradation resulting from the removal of riparian (river bank) vegetation, drainage works and sedimentation;
  • Water pollution and sedimentation due to land clearing, waste disposal and stormwater runoff from urban, industrial and agricultural development in the catchment;
  • Increased controlled burning for new houses that adjoin bushland areas threaten Sydney Hawk Dragonfly habitat
  • Chance events such as natural disasters (drought) may eliminate remaining local populations. Local extinctions could greatly affect the survival of the species as a whole due to their rarity.

More information