Austrolestes analis
In 3 days ~30% in a week ~60%
The slender ringtail (Austrolestes analis) is an Australian damselfly in the family Lestidae. It is characterized by having a relatively slender body compared to other species in the genus. The slender ringtail was first described by Jules Pierre Rambur in 1862.
The abdomen is 3-3.2 cm long. Mature males are often pale blue and black although the strength of the blue may vary. Distinguished from other Austrolestes by the pattern on the upper thorax, most closely resembling that of Austrolestes aridus.
It is found in south-western Western Australia, south-eastern South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. It is active through Spring to Autumn near lakes, slow flowing rivers and nearby vegetation. The genus name Austrolestes combines the prefix austro- (from Latin auster, meaning “south wind”, hence “southern”) with Lestes, a genus name derived from Greek λῃστής (lēstēs, “robber”).
The species name analis is Latin for "of the anus", likely referring to features of the anal region. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grampians National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Great Otway National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Slender Ringtail sighting in Melbourne on a given day, based on 497 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 30th most-seen of the 875 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 30%, and over a week to about 60%, if each day is a fresh chance.
December
In that month about 30% of wildlife watchers report a Slender Ringtail in Melbourne on a given day, against under 5% in April to October, the lowest months.
Between 9 am and noon
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Slender Ringtail sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Yes
Of the 3 cities where we can rate Slender Ringtail sightings, Melbourne has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come Perth (Australia, about 10%) and Sydney (Australia, under 5%).
Same genus: Austrolestes
The closest relatives of the Slender Ringtail that you can see in Melbourne (genus Austrolestes, Ringtails) are Wandering Ringtail (about 10%) and Blue Ringtail (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Slender Ringtail is recorded against all the insects logged in Melbourne (497 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
