Argia vivida

Last updated

Argia vivida
Argia vivida-Male-2.jpg
Male
Vivid Dancer - Argia vivida, Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah.jpg
Female, Utah
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Coenagrionidae
Genus: Argia
Species:
A. vivida
Binomial name
Argia vivida
Hagen in Selys, 1865

Argia vivida, the vivid dancer, is a species of narrow-winged damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. [2] [3] [4] [5] This species is commonly found in springs and forests of Central America and North America. [2] [6] Argia vivida inhabit areas of diverse temperatures due to thermoregulation. [7] The species is also considered the state insect of Nevada. [8]

Contents

Argia vivida vary in color, although they are typically associated with the bright blue coloration. Other variations include red, brown, or grey depending on the type of morph and temperature. [9] Mating occurs in mornings and afternoons, and eggs are oviposited just below the surface of the water. [10] [6] Larvae and adults feed on larvae from small invertebrates and small flying insects, respectively. [6] [11]

The IUCN conservation status of Argia vivida is "LC", least concern, with no immediate threat to the species' population. The population is stable. [1] [12]

Coloration

Blue-morph on pitcher plant in California Vivid Dancer - Argia vivida, on pitcher plant, Butterfly Valley, California.jpg
Blue-morph on pitcher plant in California

Female dimorphism occurs in two populations of Argia vivida from British Columbia, Canada. They are described as varying from a blue color morph and red color morph. Physiological color changes occur in males and both female morphs as a result of changing temperatures throughout the day. The two phases of color changes are denoted as the "bright phase" and "dark phase." Individuals transition to the bright phase as shade temperatures rise over 25°C; males and blue-morph females transition to a lighter shade of blue with pale blue or blue-grey markings, while red-morph females transition to a red-brown or brown with tan or grey-tan markings. At lower temperatures around 18°C, the dark phase occurs; males and blue-morph females transition to a darker blue shade, while red-morph females transition to a grey-brown to brown shade. [9]

Mating

Mates are encountered in two ways, morning matings or afternoon matings. [9] In the morning, the males bask at sunspots and attempt to gain the attention of females by darting out at them. Successful males and females will then engage in copulation, tandem flight, and finally oviposition. In the afternoon, unmated males move towards the water and wait for an available female released from a previous mating pair. These new pairs begin the mating cycle once again but throughout a more brief time period than the morning matings. [10]

Life cycle

Upon mating, females lay their eggs on sources of vegetation just below the surface of the water. [6] Egg development requires cold temperatures of at least 11°C but can fluctuate from 0-33°C. [6] [13] In thermal springs, the life cycle takes approximately 1 year to complete, but may extend for up to 2 to 3 years in cooler springs. [6] [13] Argia vivida finally emerge as adults anytime between April through October depending on the current temperature. [6]

Diet

Larvae

Because Argia vivida larvae are aquatic, they typically feed on small invertebrates found in the water such as larvae from mosquitoes and mayflies. [6] [11]

Adults

Adult Argia vivida typically feed on a variety of soft-bodied, small flying insects including mosquitoes, flies, mayflies, and even small moths. [6] [11] In some cases, adults will also eat insects from plants such as small aphids. [11]

Thermoregulation and habitat

Argia vivida exhibit thermoregulation by living in habitats that allow for different thermal regimes throughout the day. At night, individuals typically settle in forest trees to maintain their body temperatures and slow the radiant loss of heat. During the day, they move away from the trees into sunspots available in thinned forest for thermal basking. [7] Therefore, an ideal habitat for the species consists of a forest containing dense trees in addition to cleared patches or thinned forest to best suit their thermoregulation requirements. [7]

In fuel-modified forests, Argia vivida still roost in trees at night but prefer cleared fuel treatment sections of the forest compared to thinned forest for the purposes of basking and foraging. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Odonata</span> Order of insects that includes the dragonflies and damselflies

Odonata is an order of predatory flying insects that includes the dragonflies and damselflies. The two groups are distinguished with dragonflies usually being bulkier with large compound eyes together and wings spread up or out at rest, while damselflies are usually more slender with eyes placed apart and wings folded together along body at rest. Adult odonates can land and perch, but rarely walk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damselfly</span> Suborder of insects

Damselflies are flying insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies but are usually smaller and have slimmer bodies. Most species fold the wings along the body when at rest, unlike dragonflies which hold the wings flat and away from the body. Damselflies have existed since the Late Jurassic, and are found on every continent except Antarctica.

<i>Polygonia c-album</i> Species of butterfly

Polygonia c-album, the comma, is a food generalist (polyphagous) butterfly species belonging to the family Nymphalidae. The angular notches on the edges of the forewings are characteristic of the genus Polygonia, which is why species in the genus are commonly referred to as anglewing butterflies. Comma butterflies can be identified by their prominent orange and dark brown/black dorsal wings.

<i>Enallagma cyathigerum</i> Species of damselfly

Enallagma cyathigerum is a species found mainly between latitudes 40°N and 72°N; It is widely distributed in the Palearctic, and the Nearctic species Enallagma annexum was at one time considered to be synonymous with it. The species can reach a length of 32 to 35 mm. It is common in many different countries including Russia, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the United States of America, and South Korea. Damselflies are an important link between the health of the aquatic ecosystem and its response to climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beautiful demoiselle</span> Species of damselfly

The beautiful demoiselle is a species of damselfly belonging to the family Calopterygidae. It is found in Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. It is often found along fast-flowing waters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-tailed damselfly</span> Species of damselfly

The blue-tailed damselfly or common bluetail is a damselfly, belonging to the family Coenagrionidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coenagrionidae</span> Family of insects

Coenagrionidae or are a family of damselflies, also known as pond damselfies, in the order Odonata and the suborder Zygoptera. The Zygoptera are the damselflies, which although less known than the dragonflies, are no less common. More than 1,300 species are in this family, making it the largest damselfly family. The family Coenagrionidae has six subfamilies: Agriocnemidinae, Argiinae, Coenagrioninae, Ischnurinae, Leptobasinae, and Pseudagrioninae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calopterygidae</span> Family of damselflies

Calopterygidae is a family of damselflies, in the suborder Zygoptera. They are commonly known as the broad-winged damselflies, demoiselles, or jewelwings. These rather large damselflies have wingspans of 50–80 mm, are often metallic-coloured, and can be differentiated from other damselflies by the broader connection between the wings and the body, as opposed to the abrupt narrowing seen in other damselfly families. The family contains some 150 species.

<i>Argia</i> Genus of damselflies

Argia is a genus of damselflies of the family Coenagrionidae and of the subfamily Argiinae. It is a diverse genus which contains about 114 species and many more to be described. It is also the largest genus in Argiinae. They are found in the Western Hemisphere. They are commonly known as dancers. Although the genus name comes from Ancient Greek: ἀργία, romanized: argia, lit. 'laziness', dancers are quite active and alert damselflies. The bluer Argia species may be confused with Enallagma species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dainty damselfly</span> Species of damselfly

The dainty damselfly, also known as the dainty bluet, is a blue damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae. This is a scarce species found mainly in southern Europe, northern Africa, southwest Asia, and Central America. C. scitulum are Odonata predators that can reach a length of 30–33 mm at maturity and have hind-wing lengths of 15–20 mm. The males and females do exhibit differing features through their colouration making them easily distinguishable. As shown in the photo to the left, segment eight is blue in colour followed by black markings on segment nine, whereas the females are mostly black near the rear with smaller blue markings. Although they are relatively simple to sex, they are easily confused with the common blue damselfly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue dasher</span> Species of dragonfly

The blue dasher is an insect of the skimmer family. It is the only species in the genus Pachydiplax. It is widely distributed throughout North America and into the Bahamas.

The obelisk posture is a handstand-like position that some dragonflies and damselflies assume to prevent overheating on sunny days. The abdomen is raised until its tip points at the sun, minimizing the surface area exposed to solar radiation. When the sun is close to directly overhead, the vertical alignment of the insect's body suggests an obelisk.

<i>Megaloprepus caerulatus</i> Species of damselfly

Megaloprepus caerulatus, also known as the blue-winged helicopter, is a forest giant damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae. Forest giant damselflies were previously recognized as their own family, Pseudostigmatidae. M. caerulatus is found in wet and moist forests in Central and South America. It has the greatest wingspan of any living damselfly or dragonfly, up to 19 centimetres (7.5 in) in the largest males. Its large size and the markings on its wings make it a conspicuous species; a hovering Megaloprepus has been described as a "pulsating blue-and-white beacon".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aztec dancer</span> Species of damselfly

The Aztec dancer damselfly is one of the pond damsels. Common name originates from the Aztecs, and scientific names comes from the Nahuas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Powdered dancer</span> Species of damselfly

The powdered dancer is a damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae. It is native to North America. It may be seen year-round in at least some of its range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Springwater dancer</span> Species of damselfly

The springwater dancer is a damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern forktail</span> Species of damselfly

Eastern forktail is a member of the damselfly family Coenagrionidae.

<i>Austrolestes colensonis</i> Species of damselfly

Austrolestes colensonis, commonly known as the blue damselfly, is a species of damselfly of the family Lestidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can commonly be found throughout the country, and at any time of the year. It is New Zealand's largest damselfly, and only blue odonate.

<i>Xanthocnemis zealandica</i> Species of damselfly

Xanthocnemis zealandica, commonly known as common redcoat damselfly, red damselfly, or red coat damselfly, is one of the most common native New Zealand damselflies. Adult damselflies are often seen flying around vegetation close to streams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-fronted dancer</span> Species of damselfly

The blue-fronted dancer is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae, native to parts of North America. It was first described by the American zoologist Thomas Say in 1840. It is a common species with a wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".

References

  1. 1 2 "List of Endangered Species". IUCN Red List. Archived from the original on 2018-05-08. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  2. 1 2 "Argia vivida Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Archived from the original on 2016-04-01. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  3. "Argia vivida species details". Catalogue of Life. Archived from the original on 2021-05-12. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  4. "Argia vivida". GBIF. Archived from the original on 2021-05-12. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  5. "Argia vivida Species Information". BugGuide.net. Archived from the original on 2017-10-02. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Foster, Rob, and Allan Harris. “COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Vivid Dancer Argia Vivida in Canada.” Species at Risk Public Registry, Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, 2015, www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/virtual_sara/files/cosewic/sr_Vivid%20Dancer_2015_e.pdf.
  7. 1 2 3 Leggott, Mark; Pritchard, Gordon (1986-09-01). "Thermal preference and activity thresholds in populations of Argia vivida (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) from habitats with different thermal regimes". Hydrobiologia. 140 (1): 85–92. doi:10.1007/BF00006730. ISSN   1573-5117. S2CID   9693987.
  8. Vogellas, Ed (2009-05-04). "It's official: Vivid dancer damselfly is state's insect". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on 2020-07-08. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  9. 1 2 3 Conrad, K. F.; Pritchard, G. (2011-02-14). "Female dimorphism and physiological colour change in the damselfly Argia vivida Hagen (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)". Canadian Journal of Zoology. 67 (2): 298–304. doi:10.1139/z89-044.
  10. 1 2 Conrad, K. F.; Pritchard, G. (1990). "Pre-oviposition mate-guarding and mating behaviour of Argia vivida (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)". Ecological Entomology. 15 (4): 363–370. Bibcode:1990EcoEn..15..363C. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2311.1990.tb00819.x. ISSN   1365-2311. S2CID   84711988.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Lung, Mark, and Stefan Sommer. “Argia Vivida (Vivid Dancer).” Digital Atlas of Idaho, The Digital Atlas of Idaho Project, 2001, digitalatlas.cose.isu.edu/bio/insects/drgnfly/coenfam/arvi/arvifr.htm.
  12. "Odonata Central". Archived from the original on 2021-02-27. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
  13. 1 2 Pritchard, Gordon (1989). "The roles of temperature and diapause in the life history of a temperate-zone dragonfly: Argia vivida (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)". Ecological Entomology. 14 (1): 99–108. Bibcode:1989EcoEn..14...99P. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2311.1989.tb00759.x. ISSN   1365-2311. S2CID   84676331.
  14. Kortello, Andrea D.; Ham, Simon J. (2010-04-01). "Movement and habitat selection by Argia vivida (Hagen) (Odonata, Coenagrionidae) in fuel-modified forest". Journal of Insect Conservation. 14 (2): 133–140. doi:10.1007/s10841-009-9233-2. ISSN   1572-9753. S2CID   44598699.

Further reading