Microstigma rotundatum, the helicopter damselfly, is a species of damselfly belonging to the family Coenagrionidae.[2]
| Microstigma rotundatum | |
|---|---|
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| Microstigma rotundatum. Museum specimen | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Suborder: | Zygoptera |
| Family: | Coenagrionidae |
| Genus: | Microstigma |
| Species: | M. rotundatum
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| Binomial name | |
| Microstigma rotundatum Selys, 1860
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description edit
These damselflies have a long, thin body and large wings with a dense venation. The apex of the forewings has large yellow flecks and the pseudostigma shows many cells.[3][4]
Biology edit
These damselflies mainly prey on web-building spiders. Larvae develop in water-filled crevices of fallen trees and in phytotelmata, the bodies of water held by some plants (bromeliads).[5]
Distribution and habitat edit
This species is present in South America (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Amazonas).[3] It lives in tropical primary lowland forests.
Bibliography edit
- de Selys Longchamps, E. (1860) Synopsis des Agrionines. Première légion: Pseudostigma., Bulletin Academie royale Belgique Serie 2 10 (6): 9-27.
- Odonata: Catalogue of the Odonata of the World. Tol J. van.
References edit
- ^ World Odonata List
- ^ Paulson, D.; Schorr, M.; Abbott, J.; Bota-Sierra, C.; Deliry, C.; Dijkstra, K.-D.; Lozano, F. (2023). "World Odonata List". OdonataCentral, University of Alabama. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
- ^ a b Charles W. Heckman Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Odonata - Zygoptera
- ^ David L. Pearson, Les Beletsky Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands
- ^ Diomedes Quintero, Annette Aiello Insects of Panama and Mesoamerica