| Glistening demoiselle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| male | |
 | |
| female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Suborder: | Zygoptera |
| Family: | Calopterygidae |
| Genus: | Phaon |
| Species: | P. iridipennis |
| Binomial name | |
| Phaon iridipennis (Burmeister, 1839) | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
| |
Phaon iridipennis, commonly known as the glistening demoiselle or glinsterjuffertjie, is a species of damselfly in the family Calopterygidae.
This is a large (length: up to 75 mm (3.0 in), wingspan: up to 87 mm (3.4 in)) damselfly with long legs. The common name comes from its iridescent wings, which sparkle with purple-blue flecks in the sunlight. The wings become more smoky with age. [3] Pterostigmas may or may not be present, although it is unclear what drives this difference. [4] When present, they start off as light brown in colour and become darker with age. [5] The thorax and abdomen are a coppery green in both sexes, although females are duller and browner than the males. [3]
This species is common and widespread. It is found in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa; from South Africa to Ethiopia and Senegal, particularly in more tropical areas. [3] [1] It also occurs on Madagascar. [3]
It is most common along rivers and streams with gallery forest, but also occurs in coastal, dune and swamp forests, as well as the forested edges of pans and marshes. [3] [6] It is highly dependent on shade, and is rarely seen out in open sunlight. [3] It does, however, sometimes occur in more open areas within forests. [6]
It has been recorded all year round in the warmer regions, but is most active from October to March with a peak during late November. [3] When at rest, the wings are held at a 45° angle and the abdomen is slightly raised. It is very cryptic when perched, but conspicuous in flight due to its iridescent wings and large size. When around water it perches low down on rocks and overhanging sticks. It is, however, frequently found far from water in forest undergrowth, particularly late in the season. They are normally found perched in dense, shady undergrowth, where they frequently perch on sticks and logs among the leaf litter. They usually occur within 2 metres (6.6 ft) of the ground. [3]
This species is listed as being of least concern by the IUCN. It is fairly resilient to habitat change, including changing water turbidity. It can also tolerate at least some alien vegetation. [3]
A dragonfly is an insect belonging to the order Odonata, infraorder Anisoptera. Adult dragonflies are characterized by large, multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, sometimes with coloured patches, and an elongated body. Dragonflies can be mistaken for the related group, damselflies (Zygoptera), which are similar in structure, though usually lighter in build; however, the wings of most dragonflies are held flat and away from the body, while damselflies hold their wings folded at rest, along or above the abdomen. Dragonflies are agile fliers, while damselflies have a weaker, fluttery flight. Many dragonflies have brilliant iridescent or metallic colours produced by structural colouration, making them conspicuous in flight. An adult dragonfly's compound eyes have nearly 24,000 ommatidia each.
Damselflies are insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies, which constitute the other odonatan suborder, Anisoptera, but are 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. An ancient group, damselflies have existed since at least the Lower Permian, and are found on every continent except Antarctica.
The red-veined darter or nomad is a dragonfly of the genus Sympetrum.
The banded demoiselle is a species of damselfly belonging to the family Calopterygidae. It is often found along slow-flowing streams and rivers. It is a Eurasian species occurring from the Atlantic coast eastwards to Lake Baikal and northwestern China.
The beautiful demoiselle is a European damselfly belonging to the family Calopterygidae. It is often found along fast-flowing waters where it is most at home.
The Calopterygidae are 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 and are often metallic-coloured. The family contains some 150 species.
Diplacodes is a genus of dragonflies in the Libellulidae family. They are commonly known as perchers. Their colours range from the totally black body of the African Diplacodes lefebvrii, the lovely pale blue of India's Diplacodes trivialis, to the intense red of the Asian–Australian Diplacodes haematodes.
Crocothemis erythraea is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. Its common names include broad scarlet, common scarlet-darter, scarlet darter and scarlet dragonfly.
Ceriagrion glabrum is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. Its common names include common orange, common citril, common pond damsel, common waxtail, orange waxtail and gewone aljander. It is widespread in Africa, where it is found in habitats that are dominated by reeds.
Crocothemis sanguinolenta is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in Africa south of the Sahara, in the Levant, and in the south of the Arabian Peninsula.
Paragomphus cognatus (Rock Hooktail) is a species of dragonfly in the family Gomphidae.
Thaumatoneura inopinata is a species of damselfly, sometimes called the cascade damselfly or giant waterfall damsel. It is unusual in flying among the falling water and spray from waterfalls in moist tropical or subtropical forests in Costa Rica.
Trithemis annulata, known commonly as the violet dropwing, violet-marked darter, purple-blushed darter or plum-coloured dropwing, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in most of Africa, in the Middle East, in the Arabian Peninsula and southern Europe. These insects are called dropwings because of their habit of immediately lowering their wings after landing on a perch. Males of this species are violet-red with red veins in the wings while females are yellow and brown. Both sexes have red eyes.
Trithemis kirbyi, also known as the Kirby's dropwing,orange-winged dropwing, or scarlet rock glider is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae.
Trithemis pluvialis, the russet dropwing, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It occurs in Africa south of Kenya.
Elattoneura frenulata is a species of damselfly in the family Platycnemididae known commonly as the sooty threadtail or Roetswartdraadstertjie. It is endemic to South Africa. It is a localised endemic of montane areas of the Western Cape, marginally expanding into the western parts of the Eastern Cape. Though it has a restricted distribution, it is locally common. It lives near slow-moving rivers with abundant vegetation.
Phaon is a small genus of damselflies belonging to the family Calopterygidae. They occur in central and southern Africa and Madagascar.
Allocnemis leucosticta, the goldtail or goudstertjie, is a species of damselfly in the family Platycnemididae. It is endemic to South Africa and Swaziland, where it lives near streams and rivers in wooded areas.
Heliocypha bisignata, stream ruby, is a species of damselfly in the family Chlorocyphidae. It is endemic to South India where it breeds in hill streams in the southern part of the country.
Media related to Phaon iridipennis at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Phaon iridipennis at Wikispecies