This is yet another one of those potentially confusing species going by two different names. Theischinger/Hawking lists it as Hemianax papuensis and that seems to be the preferred name of Antipodeans. Others prefer Anax papuensis, and one of those is the eminent Dr. Dennis Paulson, who maintains the worldwide list of species, who has no reference to any Hemianax whatsoever. Personally, therefore, I prefer to go with his Anax papuensis name, as does the IUCN Red List of species.
This species is widespread throughout much of Australia and New Zealand. Naturally, the common/vernacular names vary, too. In Australia we have Hemianax papuensis (Australian Emperor) whilst in New Zealand we have Anax papuensis (Baron Dragonfly). It is also recorded in parts of Indonesia and various Pacific islands.
We encountered ours only in Australia at the Winton Wetlands and the dam in Stanley, Victoria.
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