Suhpalacsa flavipes is a member of the family Ascalaphidae, order Neuroptera, and this individual is just the second to come in to the moth light in over a decade of mothing. Adults are aerial predators similar to dragonflies which they resemble, but may be distinguished by their long clubbed antennae. The larvae are ground dwellers similar to antlion larvae, but don’t dig the conical pits. They conceal themselves in litter or vegetation and ambush their prey, seizing it in their large mandibles.

Like many other classes of insect, Odonata are also very scarce locally. Once abundant in the garden, occurrences so far this season can be counted on one hand, the only photo taken was of this female Austrolestes leda, click all images to enlarge.

The Common Flatwing, Austroargiolestes icteromelas, used to be extremely numerous in Bellbird Corner Riverside Reserve, but a wander through with the camera resulted in just two photo opportunities, with these the only Odonata sighted.