Orthemis
Orthemis ferruginea, males
Orthemis is a string of 17 kinds of dragonflies genus. The genus belongs to the subfamily Sympetrinae and was described in 1861 by Hermann August Hagen. As Generotyp served a previously designated as Libellula ferruginea Dragonfly. The distribution area extends into South America from the height of Buenos Aires to North America at the height of San Diego.
Features
Orthemis species are relatively large bubble, and reach lengths between 45 and 55 millimeters. The males are mainly colored red, while the females tend more towards orange. With the aging process, the males color bluish or purple. The wings are transparent and have, as already noticed in Hagen establishment of the genus, a large Flügelmal ( pterostigma ), which spans five of the underlying wing cells. On Nodus and at the tip of the wing are located in some species smaller brown spots. The dark markings of bright Pterothoraxes often disappears with the change of color in the blue. The face is brownish to bluish purple. Of the rear body (abdomen) is flattened, wherein the fourth and fifth segment is still longer than wide.
Habitat
The adults of the species are found Orthemis of smaller ponds on small streams to lakes and slow-flowing rivers. The larvae live halbvergraben on the bottom of the water.
Way of life
The males sit on the shore and vegetation and defend their territory against conspecifics. When oviposition guarding the female.
System
The systematics of the species is not fully understood by far and is about many types even if they are really distinct species ambiguity. In the future, more species are likely to be added. At least one other species still awaits its description. Also by the larvae few are described. The following species are counted to the genus Orthemis:
- Orthemis Äquilibris
- Orthemis ambinigra
- Orthemis ambirufa
- Orthemis anthracina
- Orthemis attenuata
- Orthemis biolleyi
- Orthemis concolor
- Orthemis discolor
- Orthemis cultriformis
- Orthemis ferruginea
- Orthemis flavopicta
- Orthemis levis
- Orthemis nodiplaga
- Orthemis plaumanni
- Orthemis regalis
- Orthemis schmidti
- Orthemis sulphurata
Credentials
- Sailing dragonflies
- Libellulidae