Male sentry dragonflies (Hemicordulia australiae) act like sentries or guards. They patrol a strict, defined territory along creeks, rivers, or ponds. While defending this area from rivals, they have a distinct habit of hovering persistently in mid-air at one or two specific "guard posts" within their territory. The name sentry dragonfly is primarily used in New Zealand, also but is known as the Australian Emerald Dragonfly. Relentless, powerful fliers that spend nearly the entire day airborne, unlike most dragonflies that regularly perch on twigs or reeds to rest or spot prey, the male Sentry Dragonfly almost never lands during the day.
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