Anax parthenope
Lesser emperor | |
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Male | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Odonata |
Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
Family: | Aeshnidae |
Genus: | Anax |
Species: | A. parthenope
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Binomial name | |
Anax parthenope |
Anax parthenope,[3] the lesser emperor,[1] is a dragonfly of the family Aeshnidae. It is found in Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Asia.[4][1]
Description
It is a crepuscular dragonfly, active in the dusk. This species can be easily distinguished by the multicolored upper surface of frons and by the shape and relative lengths of the anal appendages. Its labium and labrum are golden-yellow and face and frons are greenish yellow and eyes are green, bluish when aged. Its thorax is pale olivaceous brown with dark brown sutures. Its segment two of the abdomen is turquoise blue. Segment three has a large blue patch at each side. Segments 4 to 9 have an irregular black middorsal stripe. Segment 10 is black.[5]
Comparison with Anax imperator
A. parthenope is smaller and less colourful than
Distribution and habitat
This species occurs in much of southern and central Europe, including most Mediterranean islands, across Asia to
Behaviour
In the south of its range A. parthenope can be on the wing in March. It is most commonly seen from June to September, but can still be around in November. Often seen patrolling around ponds, lakes, and other still water, it occurs with A. imperator, but it is usually less abundant. When A. parthenope and A. imperator occur at the same ponds, A. imperator is dominant. Males and females mate in the normal dragonfly manner and after mating, the pair stay in tandem and egg-laying usually occurs whilst still in tandem. This behaviour not seen in other European hawkers with the exception of Aeshna affinis, although two migrants to Europe, A. ephippiger and A. junius also oviposit in tandem. Eggs are inserted into plants or in mud and hatch out in two months. Larval development takes two years.
References
- ^ . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Bulletins de l'Académie royale des sciences, des lettres et des beaux-arts de Belgique, 6 (1839), 389
- ^ 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 14 Mar 2023.
- ISBN 9788181714954.
- ^ C FC Lt. Fraser (1936). The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma, Odonata Vol. III. Red Lion Court, Fleet Street, London: Taylor and Francis. pp. 142-144.
- ^ "Lesser Emperor". British Dragonfly Society. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
Further reading
- Askew, R.R. (2004). The Dragonflies of Europe. (revised ed.) Harley Books. ISBN 0-946589-75-5
- d'Aguilar, J., Dommanget, JL., and Prechac, R. (1986). A field guide to the Dragonflies of Britain, Europe and North Africa. Collins. pp. 336. ISBN 0-00-219436-8
- Boudot JP. et al. (2009). Atlas of the Odonata of the Mediterranean and North Africa. Libellula Supplement 9:1–256.
- Dijkstra, K-D.B & Lewington, R. (2006). Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe. British Wildlife Publishing. ISBN 0-9531399-4-8.