Agriocnemis thoracalis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Agriocnemis thoracalis |
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Agriocnemis thoracalis is a tiny and delicate damselfly species. It belongs to the family Coenagrionidae, often called the "narrow-winged damselflies." These insects are known for their beautiful colors and graceful flight near water.
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What is a Damselfly?
Damselflies are insects that look a lot like dragonflies. However, there are a few key differences. When a damselfly rests, its wings are usually held together over its back. Dragonflies, on the other hand, often rest with their wings spread out flat. Damselflies also have thinner bodies and their eyes are usually separated.
Life Cycle of Damselflies
Damselflies start their lives in water. The female lays her eggs in or near water. When the eggs hatch, tiny nymphs emerge. These nymphs live underwater, breathing through gills. They are predators, hunting small aquatic creatures. After some time, the nymph crawls out of the water. It then sheds its skin one last time to become an adult damselfly. This adult stage is when they can fly and reproduce.
About Agriocnemis thoracalis
Scientists do not know much about Agriocnemis thoracalis. This is because there are very few specimens of this damselfly. One important specimen is called the holotype. A holotype is the single specimen used to officially describe a new species.
The Holotype Specimen
The holotype for Agriocnemis thoracalis is a male damselfly. It is kept at the NHRM, which is the Naturhistoriska Rijkmuseet in Sweden. Unfortunately, this special specimen is missing its last four body segments. This makes it hard for scientists to be completely sure about its exact identity. The Australian Faunal Directory even mentions this problem.
Where it was Found
This particular damselfly was collected a long time ago. It was found in Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia. This happened during a Swedish scientific trip led by Eric Mjöberg. The expedition explored Australia between 1910 and 1913. A scientist named Bror Yngve Sjöstedt officially described this new species in 1917.
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