Platycypha fitzsimonsi, the boulder jewel or Fitzsimon's jewel is a species of damselfly in the family Chlorocyphidae. It is endemic to South Africa where its natural habitats include wooded and forested streams and rivers.[2]
| Platycypha fitzsimonsi | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Suborder: | Zygoptera |
| Family: | Chlorocyphidae |
| Genus: | Platycypha |
| Species: | P. fitzsimonsi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Platycypha fitzsimonsi Pinhey, 1950
| |
This is a fairly small species; 29–34 mm long with a wingspan of 46–54 mm. The mature male has an orange-red and black striped thorax and a distinctive red, black and blue abdomen. Females and immature males are dark brown and khaki.[2]
Like several other Chlocyphidae, males extend and vibrate their tibia displaying the white colouration (foot waggling) towards ovipositing females as a courtship display.[3]
Gallery edit
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Male -
Males -
Immature male -
Immature male
References edit
- ^ Suhling, F. (2017). "Platycypha fitzsimonsi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T63208A75262122. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T63208A75262122.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ a b Tarboton, W.R.; Tarboton, M. (2005). A fieldguide to the damselflies of South Africa. ISBN 0620338784.
- ^ Richardson, H. M. (1982). "Courtship displays and mating behaviour of three species of Chlorocyphidae (Zygoptera)" (PDF). Odonatologica. 11 (1): 53–58.
External links edit
Media related to Platycypha fitzsimonsi at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Platycypha fitzsimonsi at Wikispecies- Platycypha fitzsimonsi on African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online
