# Blue ringtail

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The **blue ringtail** (***Austrolestes annulosus***) is an Australian [damselfly](/source/Damselfly).[2] It is found on most of the continent.

## Taxonomy

The blue ringtail was first described by [Edmond de Sélys Longchamps](/source/Edmond_de_S%C3%A9lys_Longchamps) in 1862.[3]

## Description

The abdomen is 3 cm long.[4] It can easily be confused with *[Austrocoenagrion lyelli](/source/Austrocoenagrion_lyelli)* or *[Caliagrion billinghursti](/source/Caliagrion_billinghursti)*, but can be differentiated through dorsal patterns. They are a thin, medium-sized damselfly with varying coloration, which depends on maturity and temperature. However most are a striking blue with minimal black markings. Females are slightly more robust than males, and have a black and white/pale blue coloration.

## Distribution and habitat

It is widely distributed in most of [Australia](/source/Australia), except for the [northern](/source/Northern_Australia) and north-eastern parts.[3] It is active through September to April in still water bodies such as riverine pools, lakes and ponds, including temporary pools.

## Etymology

The genus name *Austrolestes* combines the prefix *austro-* (from Latin *auster*, meaning “south wind”, hence “southern”) with *[Lestes](/source/Lestes)*, a genus name derived from Greek λῃστής (*lēstēs*, “robber”).[5]

The species name *annulosus* is derived from the Latin *annulus* ("ring") and the suffix *-osus* ("abounding in"), referring to the broad ring on the second abdominal segment.[6]

## References

1. Selys-Longchamps, E. (1862). ["Synopsis des Agrionines, seconde légion: *Lestes*"](https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/36917029) (in French). *Bulletin de la Classe des Science, Académie Royale de Belgique*. **13**: 288–338 [332]. 2.

1. Dow, R.A. (2017). "*Austrolestes annulosus*". Vol. 2017. [doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T87534133A87539919.en](https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T87534133A87539919.en). Retrieved 20 November 2021.

1. ["Species *Austrolestes annulosus* (Selys, 1862)"](https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/Austrolestes_annulosus). *[Australian Faunal Directory](/source/Australian_Faunal_Directory)*. [Australian Biological Resources Study](/source/Australian_Biological_Resources_Study). 2022. Retrieved 3 April 2026.

1. Daley, Elizabeth & Daley, Anthony (2007). [*Wings: an introduction to Tasmania's winged insects*](https://books.google.com/books?id=PQOaPwAACAAJ&q=elizabeth+daley). Riffles Pty. Ltd. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-9804006-2-5.

1. Endersby, Ian (2012). ["Etymology of the Dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata) named by R.J. Tillyard, F.R.S."](https://openjournals.library.sydney.edu.au/LIN/article/view/5941). *Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales*. **134**: 1-16.

1. Endersby, Ian & Fliedner, Heinrich (2015). [*The Naming of Australia's Dragonflies*](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283318421_The_Naming_of_Australia's_Dragonflies). Eltham, Victoria, Australia: Busybird Publishing. ISBN 9781925260625.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Blue ringtail](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_ringtail) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_ringtail?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.