| Glittering demoiselle | |
|---|---|
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| Genus: | Calopteryx |
| Species: | C. exul |
| Binomial name | |
| Calopteryx exul Sélys, 1853 | |
Calopteryx exul (glittering demoiselle) is an endangered species of damselfly in the family Calopterygidae. It is found in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. The largest populations found were located in Northeast Algeria.[1] Its natural habitat is along rivers that have fast flowing water, which are threatened by pollution.
This is a large damselfly with a total length of up to 50 mm. Unlike most other Calopteryx damselflies, the wings are unbanded in both sexes although the male has metallic venation that produce a distinctive blue flash on each wing beat when the insect is flying in the sun. The males in this species tend to be territorial and when the females lay their eggs in patches of plants the males guard the plants. This species is known for having a partial bivoltine life cycle.[2]
References
- ^ Mellal, Mohamed; Bensouilah, Mourad (11 September 2018). "Reproductive habitat provisioning promotes survival and reproduction of the endangered endemic damselfly Calopteryx exul". J Insect Conserv. 22 (3–4): 563–570. doi:10.1007/s10841-018-0085-5. S2CID 53098955.
- ^ Khelifa, Rassim (11 July 2016). "Partial bivoltinism and emergence patterns in the North African endemic damselfly Calopteryx exul: conservation implications". African Journal of Ecology. 55 (2): 145–151. doi:10.1111/aje.12332.
- Boudot, J.-P. 2005. Calopteryx exul. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 9 August 2007.
- Dijkstra, Klaas-Douwe B. (2006). Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe. p. 69. ISBN 0-9531399-4-8.