| Onychothemis testacea | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Male | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
| Family: | Libellulidae |
| Genus: | Onychothemis |
| Species: | O. testacea |
| Binomial name | |
| Onychothemis testacea Laidlaw, 1902 | |
Onychothemis testacea, [2] the stellate river hawk, [3] or riverhawker, [4] is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is widespread in many Asian countries. [1] [5]
It is a medium sized dragonfly with bottle-green eyes. Its thorax is dark metallic-blue, marked with citron-yellow. There is a narrow mid-dorsal carina, a humeral spot and a narrow stripe on mesepimeron. Abdomen is black, marked with citron-yellow. Segment 1 has a triangular spot on mid-dorsum. Segment 2 has a small diamond-shaped spot on mid-dorsum. Segment 3 has its base dorsally and sub-dorsally narrow yellow and a stellate spot on mid-dorsum. Segments 4 to 9 are similar to 3; but the lateral spots much smaller. Segment 10 is entirely black. Anal appendages are black. Female is similar to the male. [6]
It breeds in streams in forest or at its margins. This is a very fast flying dragonfly of forested streams. Males usually perch on dry twigs and other similar vantage points over streams and aggressively chase other dragonflies entering their territory. [6] [7] [3] [4]