Bug FAQCommon Flatwing
Austroargiolestes icteromelas · Order: Odonata · Family: Argiolestidae
Common flatwings are about 43 mm long and have a bright metallic-blue colour. They rest with their wings spread flat, though females may sometimes fold them. They live near slow-running streams and creeks in eastern Australia, often in shaded spots and sometimes in groups among plants.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Both sexes are metallic-blue and usually rest with wings held flat open; females can also rest with wings folded.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults are about 43 mm long, with a long, slender body.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
They are found along streams and creeks, preferring slow-running water rather than still ponds. They like shaded areas a few metres from water and may rest in large groups among plants.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
They capture flying insects in the air using their legs, like other dragonflies and damselflies.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
What does a common flatwing look like?
It is about 43 mm long, metallic-blue, and usually rests with its wings spread flat; females may sometimes fold their wings.
Source: Wikipedia
Where can I find common flatwings?
They live near slow-running streams and creeks in shaded areas, often in groups among plants.
Source: Wikipedia
What region are common flatwings native to?
They are native to eastern Australia, including the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.
Source: Wikipedia
What do common flatwings eat?
They catch other flying insects in the air with their legs, just like other dragonflies and damselflies.
Source: Wikipedia
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_flatwing
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.