Yellow-tipped tigertail | |
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Female | |
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Male | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Odonata |
Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
Family: | Synthemistidae |
Genus: | Choristhemis |
Species: | C. flavoterminata |
Binomial name | |
Choristhemis flavoterminata | |
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Synonyms [3] | |
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Choristhemis flavoterminata, the yellow-tipped tigertail, is a species of dragonfly from the family Synthemistidae found in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. [4] [5] Yellow-tipped tigertails prefer a warm, wet climate and often reside near rivers where they also lay their eggs. [6] Specimens of this type of dragonfly are noted in the A.N. Burns Collection [7] in Museum Victoria. [8]
At hatching, the yellow-tipped tigertail's larvae are about 7.5 mm long, and measure 4.1 mm from each side of the head. The abdomen consists of a small quantity of hair, measures 12.1 mm, and is relatively thin. They are light gray or brown in color, later maturing into a deeper shade of that specific color. [9] Larvae burrow into the mud for protection, [9] but they are endangered by underwater predators capable of digging through the mud burrows from the main body of water, and eating the larvae. Once mature, yellow-tipped tigertail larvae become predators, feeding on smaller bugs. [9]
The average yellow-tipped tigertail has a body length around 47 mm. Its body is long, ending with a bright yellow spot, and its abdomen is thin. Its wings have a slight brown tint and a dark brown rectangular spot. [10] Yellow-tipped tigertails are believed to fake death when frightened by folding their legs across their bodies until they no longer feel threatened, at which point they fly away. They do so most commonly when they are lying on their dorsal or ventral surfaces. [11]
The Synthemistidae are the family of dragonflies commonly known as tigertails, or sometimes called southern emeralds. This family is sometimes treated as a subfamily of Corduliidae. This is an ancient dragonfly family, with some species occurring in Australia and New Guinea. Most species are small in size and have narrow abdomens. Their nymphs are bottom dwellers, and resist droughts by burying themselves very deeply. Synthemistid dragonflies frequently prefer marshy areas, as well as fast-flowing streams. The family Synthemistidae is sometimes called Synthemidae.
Austrosynthemis is a monotypic genus of dragonfly in the family Synthemistidae. Its single species, Austrosynthemis cyanitincta, more commonly known as the turquoise tigertail, is found in south-western Australia, where it inhabits streams.
Petalura litorea, commonly known as the coastal petaltail, is an endangered Australian species of dragonfly from the family Petaluridae.
Tonyosynthemis claviculata, commonly known as the clavicle tigertail, is a species of dragonfly. They are found in Queensland, Australia, along streams and rivers, or near the eastern Australian coast and drainage basins.
Phenes raptor is a species of dragonfly from Chile and other parts of South America. Larvae specimen have been collected along the Malleco River and additionally from a farm mill, whereas an adult specimen has been collected from additional sites in Chile. Phenes raptor is a predator, and it is the physically largest dragonfly in Chile.
Gomphurus externus, the plains clubtail, is a species of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae.
Choristhemis is a genus of small dragonflies in the family Synthemistidae found in eastern Australia. They are small to medium-sized slender dragonflies with dark colouring and light markings and a relatively weak flight.
Tonyosynthemis is a genus of slender black and yellow dragonflies in the family Synthemistidae. It is endemic to eastern Australia.
Synthemis is a genus of dragonflies in the family Synthemistidae. Species of Synthemis are medium-sized, slender, black and yellow dragonflies.
Agrionoptera insignis allogenes known as the red swampdragon is a subspecies of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in Australia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and possibly New Caledonia.
Nannophlebia risi, known as the common archtail, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is endemic to Australia.
Nannophlebia eludens is a species of dragonfly of the family Libellulidae, known as the elusive archtail. It inhabits streams and rivers of northern Australia. It is a small dragonfly with black and yellow markings and a slender body.
Archaeosynthemis spiniger is a species of dragonfly of the family Synthemistidae, known as the spiny tigertail. It is a medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It inhabits streams and rivers in south-western Australia.
Eusynthemis aurolineata is a species of dragonfly of the family Synthemistidae, known as the variable tigertail. It is a medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It inhabits mountain swamps and streams in eastern Australia
Eusynthemis nigra is a species of dragonfly of the family Synthemistidae, known as the black tigertail. It is a medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It inhabits streams in eastern Australia
Eusynthemis barbarae is a species of dragonfly of the family Synthemistidae, known as the Mount Lewis tigertail. It is a medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It inhabits rainforest streams in north-eastern Australia
Eusynthemis tillyardi is a species of dragonfly of the family Synthemistidae, known as the mountain tigertail. It is a medium-sized dragonfly with black and yellow markings. It inhabits coastal and mountain streams in south-eastern Australia
Macromia tillyardi is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae, known as the Australian cruiser. It is a large, black to metallic green dragonfly with bright yellow markings on its abdomen, clear wings and long legs. It is found in northern Australia, where it inhabits streams and pools.
Macromia viridescens is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae, known as the rainforest cruiser. It is a large, black to metallic green dragonfly with yellow markings on its thorax, dark metallic green on its abdomen, clear wings and long legs. It is found on Cape York in northern Queensland, Australia, and New Guinea, where it inhabits streams.
Oristicta filicicola is a species of damselfly belonging to the family Isostictidae. Until 2017 it was the only species of the genus Oristicta. Commonly known as a slender wiretail, it is a slender and dull-coloured damselfly of medium-size. It is endemic to north-eastern Australia, where it inhabits streams in rainforests.
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