Erythromma
Small damselfly ( Erythromma viridulum ), male
The garnet eyes ( Erythromma ) are a genus of the family of Slim dragonflies. In Central Europe, three species of the genus are represented with various centers of distribution points.
Features
The species of the genus are very slim and reach a maximum length of 36 millimeters. The males of two species have red eyes, which have given the German name of the genus. The males of the Cup damselfly ( Erythromma lindenii ), however, have striking blue eyes. The spots on the head ( Postokularflecken ) are greatly reduced or strips. The second abdominal segment is always provided with a continuous upper-side black drawing. The upper abdomen attachments of the males are significantly longer than the lower. The females are, in contrast to the blue-black males, mostly greenish and have less blue staining. Unlike many other damselfly females they have no ovipositor.
System
The following species belong to the genus of garnet eyes:
- Erythromma humeral Selys, 1887
- Cup Bridesmaid - Erythromma lindenii ( Selys, 1840)
- Large garnet eye - Erythromma najas ( Hansemannplatz, 1823)
- Small Damselfly - Erythromma viridulum Charpentier, 1840
The Cup damselfly ( Erythromma lindenii ) has been allocated only after recent molecular biological studies of the genus Erythromma. In older literature, the species is therefore often still referred to as Cercion lindenii. Even the commonly used trivial name Cup Azurjungfer should not be used if possible, since it suggests a faulty belonging to the Azurjungfern ( Coenagrion ).