Australian Emperor
Scientific name: Hemianax papuensis
Click to enlarge image
Emperor in Flight - Ben Twist
This 'spineless' Australian Emperor (Hemianax papuensis) is a powerful predator and one of Australia's largest insects. As I watched its fast, flitting motion I knew the auto-focus wouldn't even come close to keeping up. I needed to deftly and precisely manually focus as I panned to follow its erratic flight.
Up Close & Spineless 2010 - Open Category
Image: Ben Twist
© Ben Twist
© Ben Twist
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Hemianax
- Species
- papuensis
- Family
- Aeshnidae
- Super Family
- Aeshnoidea
- Suborder
- Epiproctophora
- Order
- Odonata
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 10 cm - 11 cm
Introduction
The Australian Emperor is a large, common, pale brown to yellow dragonfly with dark brown mottling and clear wings.
Habitat
The Australian Emperor lives in urban areas, fresh water, forests, heath.
Distribution
The Australian Emperor is found throughout Australia and the South Pacific.
Other behaviours and adaptations
The larvae of the Australian Emperor are usually found on water plants and are active predators that stalk prey and grow quickly.
