Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis
Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis Vander Linden, 1825
Local names: Copper demoiselle, Bronzene Prachtlibelle, Koperen beekjuffer, Caloptéryx méditerranéen
Species Information
Description
Large damselfly, with wings tapering gradually toward the base. The male is brown-dark purple in colour. The wings are hyaline at the base, and the coloured portion extends from the end towards the base well beyond the node. The underside of the last three abdominal segments is characteristically karmine in colour which gave the name of the species, haemmorhoidalis)
The females can range from dark green to reddish brown in colour. Their wings are to a lesser extent opaque in colour than the males, only the tip is darker. The inner part of the female wing is hyaline or weakly coloured green or brown. Females have a white pseudopterostigma (false wing spot). In males the pterostigma is absent. Both sexes have black legs with reddish brown tibiae.
Regional differences in male body coloration occur, ranging from metallic black to metallic purple with red reflexions.
Size
Habitat
The species favours clear and well oxygenated streams and rivers, generally with a swift current and partly shaded, lightly wooded banks. It is restricted to low and middle elevations below 1 100 m. In the north and north-west of the Iberian Peninsula it is found only in very small streams close to the coast.
Distribution
This species is a west Mediterranean endemic and is common in large parts of south-west Europe from Italy and southern France to the Iberian Peninsula, including islands of the western Mediterranean. The species does not reproduce on Malta. In Africa it occurs from Marocco to Tunisia.
Flight Period
May to September
Behavior
Like most damselfly, males strive for territory along suitable running waters, where they perch on side vegetation and make short flights to fight off other males or to court any passing female.
Conservation Status
Similar Species
Calopteryx splendens, Calopteryx virgo, Calopteryx xanthosthoma
External Links
Genus: Calopteryx
Calopteryx is a genus of large damselflies belonging to the family Calopterygidae.
Identification
The damselflies of the Calopteryx genus, also called Demoiselles or Jewelwings are all broad-winged damselflies with metallic bodies and veins. Males are colourful, mostly blue, and have extensively colured wings. Females also metallic, but green or brown. Their wings are clear to brown. Sometimes, but rarely, females develop male colours. Their legs are noticeably long and thin, with long and very numerous bristles. The wings are exceptionally densely veined, with 18 or more antenodal veins. Males lack pterostigma and females have pale pseudopterostigma, which are not as conspicuous as ordinary pterostigma and are crossed by veins.
Separation from other genera
Diagnostic features are coloration, metallic bodies, the dense venation and colouration of the wings and the absence of pterosstigma. Lestes species are also metallic but smaller and have narrow and hyaline wings. The large Epallage wings are similar but has no metallic sheen, also their legs spines are short and they have long pterostigma.
Behaviour
Calopteryx perch with a distinctive resting posture, with raised abdomen and closed wings. Both males and females are found anear flowing water, often in great numbers. Males are very territorial near suitable oviposition sites, with submerged aquatic vegetation. The males try to attract females with aerial displays, and any females are courted intensely as soon as they appear near water. Often gathers in large bankside roosts in the evenings.
Family: Calopterygidae
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.
The Calopterygidae are found on every continent except Antarctica. They live along rivers and streams.