Tau Emerald
A newly-eclosed dragonfly showing the elaborate wing attachments that enable the insect's speed and manoeuvrability.
Hemicordulia tau (Order: Odonata; Family: Hemicordulidae)
Tau Emerald
Hemicordulia tau (Order: Odonata; Family: Hemicordulidae)
Blue Skimmer
As they mature, many dragonfly species develop a bluish, waxy coating. This Blue Skimmer was yellow and black when younger.
Orthetrum caledonicum (Order: Odonata; Family: Libellulidae)
Blue Skimmer
As they mature, many dragonfly species develop a bluish, waxy coating. This Blue Skimmer was yellow and black when younger.
Orthetrum caledonicum (Order: Odonata; Family: Libellulidae)
Backswimmer
These small (5mm long) bugs abound in our frog pond. They prey on small submerged animals, including mosquito larvae.
Order: Hemiptera; Family: Notonectidae
Lipotriches
These male bees are still roosting on the same sedge flower head - it has been more than a week now, and the troop seems to be growing.
Lipotriches australica (Order: Hymenoptera; Family: Halictidae)
Milk Vine Bugs
These really are bugs. The nymphs form writing masses on their host plant, often competing with adults for feeding room.
Oncopeltus sordidus (Order: Hemiptera; Family: Lygaeidae)
Milk Vine Bugs
These really are bugs. The nymphs form writing masses on their host plant, often competing with adults for feeding room.
Oncopeltus sordidus (Order: Hemiptera; Family: Lygaeidae)
Yellow-spotted Blue
This pristine butterfly, with its perfect and undamaged wings, represents the second wave of the species for the Summer. Larvae that overwintered in 2017 emerged in Sept and Oct and are now gone. This is one of their offspring.
Candalides xanthospilos (Order: Lepidoptera; Family: Lycaenidae)
Jumping spider
Like most spiders, jumping spiders trail a safety line when they leap.
Hypoblemum albovittatum (Order: Aranea; Family: Salticidae)
Lacewing eggs
We discovered this clutch of eggs, laid in typical neuropteran fashion on long silken threads attached to a daisy stem. We hope to witness hatching of the nymphs.
Order: Neuroptera
Enamelled Spider (female)
The Enamelled Spider captures small flying insects in its sloping web. It hunts mainly at night, hiding in vegetation during the day.
Plebs bradleyi (Order: Aranea; Family: Araneidae)