Thaumatoneura inopinata

Thaumatoneura inopinata
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Suborder:	Zygoptera
Superfamily:	Calopterygoidea
Family:	Thaumatoneuridae
Genus:	Thaumatoneura McLachlan, 1897
Species:	T. inopinata
Binomial name
Thaumatoneura inopinata McLachlan, 1897

Thaumatoneura inopinata is a species of damselfly, sometimes called the cascade damselfly or giant waterfall damsel, and the only member of the genus Thaumatoneura. It is unusual in flying among the falling water and spray from waterfalls in moist tropical or subtropical forests in Costa Rica.

Taxonomy

Thaumatoneura inopinata is a highly distinctive species, making up a

The species was first described in 1897 by the English entomologist Robert McLachlan, but he did not know the origin of the specimen that he had bought as part of an insect collection.[4] It later transpired that the damselfly was from the New World when another specimen was brought back from Panama.

The American entomologist

Male giant waterfall damsels have two forms, one with entirely clear wings and the other with broad black bands across the wings. Females have clear wings with brown wing tips. In both sexes, the nodus (a notch in the leading edge of each wing) is closer to the base of the wings than is the case in most other damselfly species. When perched, the wings are held vertically above the abdomen, which allows water to drip off.[6]

Behaviour

The giant waterfall damsel can be seen flying among the falling water and spray produced by waterfalls. The eggs are laid among the mosses and tangled roots beside the cascade which are constantly kept wet by the water. The nymphs develop among this vegetation and do not normally enter the torrent. When their development is finished and they are ready to emerge, they climb onto a rock, their skin splits and the winged adults climb out.^[6]

Status

The