Look for lime green stripes

Small Damselfly with a bright blue tail light. The uppermost side of the thorax (behind the head) has two lime green stripes. This is the only damsel in South-East Queensland whose male has both a blue tail light and two lime green stripes on the upperside of the thorax, which is otherwise blue and black. It flies close to the surface of the water resting frequently on floating vegetation. It is common in slow-moving creeks and still waters, mostly in the lowlands, often in dams and ponds.

Photo: Robert Whyte

The front of the face is mostly blue, the back of the head has a thin bar somewhat like that of the Blue River Damsel. Photo: Robert Whyte

This photograph shows the lime green stripes and gives you some idea of the size of the animal. It is a small Damselfly. Photo: Robert Whyte

The overall impression of the Eastern Billabongfly is the intense blue of the chest and initial segments of the abdomen and the bright blue tail light. The lime green stripes are noticeable when looking closely. Photo: Robert Whyte

The intensity of the blue tail light is heightened by the surrounding black. This photo shows the tail resting on a fingernail. Photo: Robert Whyte