Diplacodes melanopsis is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae known commonly as the blackfaced percher or black-faced percher. It occurs on the Australian mainland from around Brisbane to the South Australian-Victorian border.
Diplacodes melanopsis is a small dragonfly. Mature males have a black face and front of its body, and a red abdomen with black markings; females are amber and yellow with black markings.
Etymology The genus name Diplacodes combines Diplax, a genus name derived from the Greek δίς (dis, "twice") and πλάξ (plax, "flat and broad"), with the Greek suffix –ώδης (-ōdēs, "resembling" or "having the nature of"). The name refers to the similarity of the genus to Diplax and Diplacina.
The species name melanopsis is derived from the Greek μελαν- (melan, "black") and ὄψις (opsis, "face" or "appearance"), referring to its brilliant black face.
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References Diplacodes melanopsis. Atlas of Living Australia.
Diplacodes melanopsis. Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, State of Queensland.