Calopteryx xanthostoma
Calopteryx xanthostoma (Charpentier, 1825)
Local names: Western demoiselle, Südwestliche Prachtlibelle, Iberische beekjuffer, Caloptéryx occitan, Caloptéryx ouest-méditerranéen
Species Information
Description
Simillar to C. splendens (considered a subspeceies by many authors) which it substitutes in Spain and some regions in France and Italy.
It is distinguished from C. splendens by the blue colour of the wing where the blue part cover the whole area from the node to the tip, even the last two or three rows of cells. There is also difference in the colour of ventral parts of the last three abdominal segments, yellow in C. xanthostoma and white in C. splendens. Females of these two species are practically identical.
Size
Habitat
It favours unshaded to partly shaded large lowland streams, rivers and canals with submerged or floating vegetation. It is most found in slow flowing to moderately fast water but is absent from swift, cold, mountainous streams as well as from largely shaded habitats. In Massif Central, in France, it breeds up to 1 200 m.
Distribution
The taxon was former regarded as a subspecies of C. splendens but is now considered a full speceies of its own. However, hybridization is reported where they overlap, in Liguria and southern France. It is common and widespread in the south and south-west of France and in most of the Iberian Peninsula, becomming patchy in the south of Spain and Portugal. In Italy it only occurs in Liguria.
Flight Period
April to September
Behavior
Mostly found near running waters, where adult males keep territories, and it can be found in large numbers. Isolated adults can be found far from water, in clearings and woods.
Conservation Status
Similar Species
Calopteryx splendens, Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis, Calopteryx virgo
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.