Choristhemis flavoterminata

Choristhemis flavoterminata, the yellow-tipped tigertail, is a species of dragonfly from the family Synthemistidae found in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia.[4][5] Yellow-tipped tigertails prefer a warm, wet climate and often reside near rivers where they also lay their eggs.[6] Specimens of this type of dragonfly are noted in the A.N. Burns Collection[7] in Museum Victoria.[8]

Yellow-tipped tigertail
Female
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Synthemistidae
Genus: Choristhemis
Species:
C. flavoterminata
Binomial name
Choristhemis flavoterminata
(Martin, 1901)[2]
Synonyms[3]
  • Eusynthemis paradoxa
    Förster, 1908
  • Synthemis flavoterminata
    Martin, 1901

Early life

At hatching, the yellow-tipped tigertail's larvae are about 7.5 mm long, and measure 4.1 mm from each side of the head. The abdomen consists of a small quantity of hair, measures 12.1 mm, and is relatively thin. They are light gray or brown in color, later maturing into a deeper shade of that specific color.[9] Larvae burrow into the mud for protection,[9] but they are endangered by underwater predators capable of digging through the mud burrows from the main body of water, and eating the larvae. Once mature, yellow-tipped tigertail larvae become predators, feeding on smaller bugs.[9]

Body

The average yellow-tipped tigertail has a body length around 47 mm. Its body is long, ending with a bright yellow spot, and its abdomen is thin. Its wings have a slight brown tint and a dark brown rectangular spot.[10] Yellow-tipped tigertails are believed to fake death when frightened by folding their legs across their bodies until they no longer feel threatened, at which point they fly away. They do so most commonly when they are lying on their dorsal or ventral surfaces.[11]

  • Male
  • Wings
  • Side view
  • Male tail
  • Male
  • Male, viewed from under
  • Mating, male is on top
  • Female is ovipositing, laying her eggs in a shallow stream
  • Female wings
  • Male wings

See also

References
  1. Dow, R.A. (2017). "Choristhemis flavoterminata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T87538487A87540154. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T87538487A87540154.en.
  2. Martin, R. (1901). "Les odonates du continent australien". Mémoires de la Société Zoologique de France. 14: 220–248 [229] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. Martin Schorr; Martin Lindeboom; Dennis Paulson. "World Odonata List". University of Puget Sound. Archived from the original on 28 August 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2010.
  4. "2. Scientific Names- Choristhemis flavoterminata (Martin)". Australia: Australian Government. Retrieved 11 December 2009.
  5. "Choristhemis flavoterminata". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 11 December 2009.
  6. "Choristhemis flavoterminata". Australian Faunal Directory. Australia: Australian Biological Resources Study. Retrieved 11 December 2009.
  7. A.N. Burns Collection
  8. "Museum Victoria Collection Odonata". Australia: Museum Victoria. Retrieved 11 December 2009.
  9. Tillyard. "The larva of Choristhemis (TILLYARD)" (PDF). Austria: Biologiezentrum Linz. Retrieved 11 December 2009.
  10. "Brisbane Insects- Choristhemis flavoterminata". Australia: Brisbane Insects. Retrieved 11 December 2009.
  11. Paulson, Dennis; Gutierrez, Rodolfo Novelo (16 February 1999). "Death feigning in dragonflies?". University of Puget Sound. Tacoma, WA. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
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