page_title: Austrolestes colensonis
section_title: Taxonomy
hierarchical_section_title: Austrolestes colensonis / Taxonomy
caption_attribution_description: I 13:LaPETALUPvA,CAP.0VEI 2.C0RDULIA SMITHII . 3. AGRION COLENSONIS 4, 5. FORFICULA LITTOREA. 6. PHASMA HOOKERI
context_page_description: Austrolestes colensonis, commonly known as the blue damselfly, is a species of damselfly of the family Lestidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can commonly be found throughout the country, and at any time of the year. It is New Zealand's largest damselfly, and only blue odonate.
context_section_description: This species was first being described by Adam White in 1846. The first reference to this species was an illustration published under the name Agrion colensonis. In 1862 Edmond de Sélys Longchamps wrote a description of the species and used the name Lestes colensonis. The New Zealand entomologist George Hudson described, discussed and illustrated this species in 1904 under the name L. colensonis. In 1913 Robin Tillyard placed this species within the genus Austrolestes.
caption: First description of Austrolestes colensonis.
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