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Sydney Hawk Dragonfly (Austrocordulia leonardi)

The Sydney Hawk Dragonfly is a black-and-yellow dragonfly found in New South Wales. It depends on deep, cool river pools with permanent flow, so works affecting these pools or their water conditions may affect its habitat.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

Seasonal planning

No species-specific activity or breeding months were found in the published sources used. Use the following as a works-planning prompt, not as seasonal biology.

Seasonal knowledge: Not documented in the sources used.

The month values are a general planning prompt only and do not represent known activity or breeding months for Austrocordulia leonardi.

  • Plan checks before disturbance: General planning window only. Check the work area before disturbance whenever works are scheduled.

Identification: Appearance

This medium-sized dragonfly is black and yellow, with two lateral yellow stripes on its synthorax. It is active during the day.

This medium-sized dragonfly is black and yellow, with two lateral yellow stripes on its synthorax. It is active during the day.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

It was historically known from a small area south of Sydney, including sites between Audley and Picton. Recent surveys have extended its known range north of Sydney and beyond the Hunter Valley.

It was historically known from a small area south of Sydney, including sites between Audley and Picton. Recent surveys have extended its known range north of Sydney and beyond the Hunter Valley.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

The species has been recorded in deep river pools with cool water and permanent flow, including slow sections of rocky rivers. Shady pools and steep rocky banks provide resting areas, while adults require open, sunlit space.

The species has been recorded in deep river pools with cool water and permanent flow, including slow sections of rocky rivers. Shady pools and steep rocky banks provide resting areas, while adults require open, sunlit space.

Foraging habitat: Diet

It hunts smaller insects near freshwater habitats.

It hunts smaller insects near freshwater habitats.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

Most of its life is spent as an aquatic larva before it emerges from the water as an adult.

Most of its life is spent as an aquatic larva before it emerges from the water as an adult.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

Larvae have been found beneath rocks in river pools. Adults have been observed settling on bushes, and shady resting areas occur along steep river banks.

Larvae have been found beneath rocks in river pools. Adults have been observed settling on bushes, and shady resting areas occur along steep river banks.

Threats: Threats

Habitat degradation and water pollution can affect the species. Rapid changes in water level or flow may reduce the suitability of habitat for larvae.

Habitat degradation and water pollution can affect the species. Rapid changes in water level or flow may reduce the suitability of habitat for larvae.

Threats: Works risk

Land clearing or construction that degrades river pools or banks could affect its habitat. In-water works that disturb deep pools or alter water quality, water levels or flow could also affect the aquatic larvae.

Survey methodology: 1. Species-specific methods

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

Larvae have been recorded beneath rocks in river pools, and adults have been observed flying along river dams and settling on nearby bushes. Surveys and repeated site visits have recorded occurrences at known localities.

Survey methodology: 2. Commonwealth guidance

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the on-ground surveys and data for referred actions under the EPBC Act, read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 3. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations: Water-associated habitat mentioned in profile

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

The species has been recorded in deep river pools with cool water and permanent flow, including slow sections of rocky rivers.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: NSW.

Habitat use: general

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Design the footprint, timing and access to avoid known or likely habitat, and brief crews on what to look for and who to call.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Fence or mark habitat to be retained and keep machinery, stockpiles and spoil out of it.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Reinstate disturbed ground with local species, return logs, rocks and litter, and control weeds and erosion until the site is stable.

Sources