The Tasmanian darner, (Austroaeschna tasmanica), is a species of large dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae,[3] which includes some of the world's largest dragonflies.
The species was first described by Robert Tillyard in 1916 and inhabits streams and rivers.
[4] Also referred to as "hawkers", the name "darner" derives from the fact that the female abdomen looks like a sewing needle, as it cuts into a plant stem when the female dragonfly lays her eggs through her ovipositor.
The Tasmanian darner is a stout, dark dragonfly with a very dark colouring and light markings.
It appears similar to the lesser Tasmanian darner, Austroaeschna hardyi.