Australian Emperor Dragonfly: Hemianax papuensis

Order: Odonata 

Family: Aeshnidae 

Genus: Hemianax 

Species: H. papuensis 

Hemianax papuensis

It is a large dragonfly, easily identified by its sheer size compared to other dragonflies. It is about 8 cms in length. It is yellow with dark brown markings on the abdomen. The thorax is pale grey and the forehead has a T shaped mark (click on the photo to enlarge). It rests like Australian Emerald Dragonflies, perpendicular to the twig. It settles on higher branches, not easily disturbed. 

How this dragonfly flies is interesting as it uses its own movement to hide itself and attack its prey. It flies in line with the target so as to appear stationary to the target but is actually looming closer. This mechanism of attack is called Motion Camouflage, first described in Australian Emperor Dragonflies.

Reference: Wiki