Pale-faced clubskimmer | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Odonata |
Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
Family: | Libellulidae |
Genus: | Brechmorhoga |
Species: | B. mendax |
Binomial name | |
Brechmorhoga mendax (Hagen, 1861) [1] | |
Range of Brechmorhoga mendax [2] |
The pale-faced clubskimmer (Brechmorhoga mendax) is a dragonfly of the family Libellulidae. Total length is 52 to 64mm. [3]
A dragonfly is a flying insect belonging to the infraorder Anisoptera below the order Odonata. About 3,000 extant species of dragonflies are known. Most are tropical, with fewer species in temperate regions. Loss of wetland habitat threatens dragonfly populations around the world. Adult dragonflies are characterised by a pair of large, multifaceted, compound eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, sometimes with coloured patches, and an elongated body. Many dragonflies have brilliant iridescent or metallic colours produced by structural coloration, making them conspicuous in flight. An adult dragonfly's compound eyes have nearly 24,000 ommatidia each.
The chasers, darters, skimmers and perchers and their relatives form the Libellulidae, the largest family of dragonflies. It is sometimes considered to contain the Corduliidae as the subfamily Corduliinae and the Macromiidae as the subfamily Macromiinae. Even if these are excluded, there remains a family of over 1000 species. With nearly worldwide distribution, these are almost certainly the most often seen of all dragonflies.
The pterostigma is a group of specialized cells in the outer wings of insects, which are often thickened or coloured, and thus stand out from other cells. It is particularly noticeable in dragonflies, but present also in other insect groups, such as snakeflies, hymenopterans, and megalopterans.
The calico pennant is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is native to eastern Canada and eastern United States.
Uropetala carovei is a giant dragonfly of the family Petaluridae, endemic to New Zealand. Its Māori name, kapokapowai means "water snatcher", alluding to the water dwelling juvenile stage (nymph), which, like all dragonflies, has a long extendable jaw that shoots out to snatch prey. It is also known as Carové's Giant Dragonfly.
Pruinescence, or pruinosity, is a "frosted" or dusty-looking coating on top of a surface. It may also be called a pruina, from the Latin word for hoarfrost. The adjectival form is pruinose.
Chalcostephia is a monotypic genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae containing the single species Chalcostephia flavifrons. It is known by the common names yellowface and inspector. It is native to central Africa, where it has a widespread distribution. This dragonfly lives in swampy habitats. It is affected by the drainage and reclamation of swamps for agriculture, but it is not considered to be threatened.
Brechmorhoga is a genus of dragonfly in the Libellulidae family. Members of this genus are commonly called clubskimmers because of the widening abdominal segments much like the clubtails.
Chalcolestes viridis, formerly Lestes viridis, is a damselfly of the family Lestidae. It has a metallic green body and at rest it holds its wings away from its body. Its common name is the willow emerald damselfly, the green emerald damselfly, or the western willow spreadwing. It has an elongated abdomen and pale brown spots on its wings and resides in areas of still water with overhanging trees.
Aeshna canadensis, the Canada darner, is a species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae. It is common throughout southern Canada and the northern United States.
Sympetrum costiferum, the saffron-winged meadowhawk, is a dragonfly of the genus Sympetrum. It is found across northern and central United States and most of Canada, including a southern portion of the Northwest Territories.
Merimnetria mendax is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It was first described by Lord Walsingham in 1907. It is endemic to the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
Pseudagrion caffrum, the springwater sprite is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is found in Lesotho, South Africa and Eswatini. Its natural habitats include montane streams with grassy banks.
Orthetrum serapia, the green skimmer, is a freshwater dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. The serapia species is present in Australia, the Philippines, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. It inhabits a wide range of still and sluggish waters, often shallow. In Australia it ranges from the top end of the Northern Territory to about Mackay in central Queensland.
Neurothemis stigmatizans, known as the painted grasshawk, is an Australian species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. The genus Neurothemis is distributed from India to the western Pacific. This species is found in northern Australia in an arc from the southern Queensland border to Broome, Western Australia.
Pseudagrion rubriceps, saffron-faced blue dart, is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is found in many tropical Asian countries.
Syncordulia serendipator, the rustic presba, is a species of dragonfly in the family Synthemistidae.
Dendroaeschna is a monotypic genus of Australian dragonflies in the family Brachytronidae. The only known species of this genus is Dendroaeschna conspersa, commonly known as a wide-faced darner.
Brechmorhoga praecox, the slender clubskimmer, is a species of skimmer in the dragonfly family Libellulidae. It is found in Central America and South America.
Brechmorhoga rapax is a species of dragonfly in the genus Brechmorhoga. It is the most common member of the genus in Mesoamerica.