Characteristic dark patches at hindwings base

The Common Glider Tramea loewii is a medium to large dragonfly with wingspan 85 mm and length 45 mm. Its synthorax is striped yellowish to brown on a purplish background. Males have a red abdomen, and the last two segments have black markings. Females are a dull brown colour. Dark patches at the base of their hindwings are a characteristic feature of this species. Males have red patches and females have brown. The male Common Glider has a red abdomen with a black tip. Their hind wing bases (saddlebags) are dark red. The Common Glider is very similar to the Dune Glider except that the Common Glider has pale patches in the inner sides of the saddlebags. It is found in the Cocos Islands, Moluccas, Lesser Sunda Islands, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Australia, New Zealand and the western Pacific.

Photo: Robert Whyte

Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens Sunday, 18 November 2007. Photo: Robert Whyte

This female was mating with the male above when captured, and has eggs which she is just about to lay. Photo: Robert Whyte