Coenagrion intermedium
Coenagrion intermedium Lohmann, 1990
Local names: Cretan bluet, Kretische Azurjungfer, Kretawaterjuffer
Species Information
Description
Endemic to the island of Crete where it replaces C. puella and C. pulchellum. Very similar to C. puella with minor differences in the shape of the abdominal appendages of the males and the shape of the hind margin of the pronotum in females which is intermediate between that of C. puella and C. pulchellum (hence the latin name intermedium)
Size
Habitat
Coenagrion intermedium is confined to small streams with moderate flow rates flakned by gallery forests of the Oriental plane. No records of self-sustaining populations in standing waters exist. The species is absent from open unshaded streams. Most localities are in the upper and middle parts of streams, rarely along lower reaches. The highest densities of individuals are found at spots with a slow current and herbaceous banks. At faster-flowing sections population density is lower.
Distribution
The species only occur in Crete, where it is presently known from 19 different rivers. The species is not uncommon in Crete but available habitats is limited and it seems likely that in the future it will be affected by climate change and the resulting desiccation of streams.
Flight Period
From mid-May to July.
Conservation Status
Similar Species
Coenagrion puella
External Links
Genus: Coenagrion
Coenagrion is a genus of damselflies in the family Coenagrionidae, commonly called the Eurasian Bluets (although three species are found in North America). Species of Coenagrion are generally medium-sized, brightly coloured damselflies.
Identification
Males are small blue damselflies with black markings. The blue areas may be partly greenish or whitish. Females have more extensive black markings, and are more often green or brownish. A damselfly with plain pterostigmas, with roundish postocular spots, with antehumeral stripes narrower than the black line below it, and with two short black lines on the thorax sides, will in most cases belong to Coenagrion.
Separation from other genera
Enallagma normally have antehumeral stripes wider than the black line below them and just one short black line on the thorax side. Ischnura males have bi-coloured pterostigma. Enallagma and Ischnura females have a vulvar spine. Erythromma species are darker, with reduced or no postocular spots, and males have red or all-blue eyes, whereas eyes of Coenagrion are blue with dark caps. The blue Erythromma lindenii is very similar, but differs in many details, like wider antehumeral stripes, an all-black upperside to S2 and a shorter 'tail-light' positioned further at the tip of the abdomen.
Behaviour
Males typically fly low among or along riparian vegetation. They rarely venture far from water. MAles and females in tandems often oviposit in concentrations on floating vegetation. The male often holds a conspicuous upright posture when in tandem with the female.
Family: Coenagrionidae
The insect family Coenagrionidae is placed in the order Odonata and the suborder Zygoptera. The Zygoptera are the damselflies, which although less known than the dragonflies, are no less common. More than 1,300 species are in this family, making it the largest damselfly family. The family Coenagrionidae has six subfamilies: Agriocnemidinae, Argiinae, Coenagrioninae, Ischnurinae, Leptobasinae, and Pseudagrioninae.
This family is referred to as the narrow-winged damselflies or the pond damselflies. The Coenagrionidae enjoy a worldwide distribution, and are among the most common of damselfly families. This family has the smallest of damselfly species. More than 110 genera of the family Coenagrionidae are currently accepted.
The family was named by William Forsell Kirby in 1890. The name may be derived from Greek coen meaning shared or common and agrio meaning fields or wild.