Austrogomphus is a genus of dragonflies in the family Gomphidae, endemic to Australia. Species of Austrogomphus are tiny to medium-sized dragonflies, black in colour with yellowish markings. They are commonly known as hunters.
The genus Austrogomphus includes the following species in two subgenera:
Subgenus Austrogomphus
Subgenus Pleiogomphus
Recently the following species were moved from the genus Austrogomphus to Austroepigomphus:
The genus name Austrogomphus is derived from two words: the Latin word auster meaning south wind, hence south; and the Greek word gomphus (óÃÂüÃÂÿÃÂ) meaning peg or nail. It is suggested that the shape of the male tail is generally like that of a bolt used in ship building. Gomphus is also a genus of dragonfly, with some similarities to Austrogomphus, both belonging to the much larger family group, Gomphidae. In 1854 Edmond de Sélys Longchamps named the sub-genus Austrogomphus probably as a southern or Australian component of the gomphid group.