Microstigma rotundatum

Microstigma rotundatum, the helicopter damselfly, is a species of damselflies belonging to the family Pseudostigmatidae.[2][3]

Helicopter damselfly
Microstigma rotundatum. Museum specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Hexapoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Odonata
Suborder:
Zygoptera
Family:
Pseudostigmatidae
Genus:
Microstigma
Species:
M. rotundatum
Binomial name
Microstigma rotundatum
Selys, 1860
Synonyms
  • Microstigma exustum (Selys, 1860)
  • Microstigma lunatum (Selys, 1860)

[1]

Description

Microstigma rotundatum is the most common species within the family. These damselflies have a long, thin body and large wings with a dense venation. The apex of the forewings has large yellow flecks and the pseudostigma shows many cells.[4][5]

Biology

These damselflies mainly prey on web-building spiders. Larvae develop in water-filled crevices of fallen trees and in phytotelmata, the bodies of water held by some plants (bromeliads).[6]

Distribution and habitat

This species is present in South America (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Amazonas).[4] It lives in tropical primary lowland forests.

Bibliography
  • de Selys Longchamps, E. (1860) Synopsis des Agrionines. Première légion: Pseudostigma., Bulletin Academie royale Belgique Serie 2 10 (6): 9-27.
  • Odonata: Catalogue of the Odonata of the World. Tol J. van.

References
  1. World Odonata List
  2. Catalogue of life
  3. Biolib
  4. Charles W. Heckman Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Odonata - Zygoptera
  5. David L. Pearson, Les Beletsky Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands
  6. Diomedes Quintero, Annette Aiello Insects of Panama and Mesoamerica
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