Alpine Redspot Dragonfly – Austropetalia tonyana

The Alpine Redspot Dragonfly (Austropetalia tonyana) is a rare dragonfly species, with only 31 recordings in Australia since the 1950s and only seven of these occurring in NSW. The species has a very restricted geographic distribution in NSW, found only around the splash zone of waterfalls in mountainous regions that occur within 600 – 1800 metres above sea level.

Threats to the continued survival of the Alpine Redspot Dragonfly include habitat disturbance and modification, climate change and capture by humans for collection and rearing.

Based on the species’ documented rarity, the high degree of habitat specialisation and threatening processes, the Alpine Redspot Dragonfly is listed as a vulnerable species. There are heavy penalties for harming, possessing, buying or selling, or for harming their habitat.

The Primefact covers the following topics:

• Distribution
• Habitat and ecology
• Why is the Alpine Redspot Dragonfly threatened?
• Conservation and recovery actions
• Legal implications