Vagrant emperor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vagrant emperor |
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The Vagrant Emperor (scientific name: Anax ephippiger) is a cool type of dragonfly. It belongs to a family called Aeshnidae. This amazing insect travels huge distances across the world! It flies to places like Africa, Europe, and parts of Asia. It often uses strong monsoon winds to help it on its long journeys.
Where the Vagrant Emperor Lives
The Vagrant Emperor dragonfly is found in many countries. Most of these are in Africa. You can find them in places like Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, and Madagascar. They also live in parts of Asia, such as India, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates.
These dragonflies are also seen in Europe. They are often spotted migrating through countries like Malta. In Malta, they appear in large groups every few years. They have not been seen breeding there, though. Recently, they have even been recorded in coastal Southern England.
What the Vagrant Emperor Looks Like
The Vagrant Emperor is a large dragonfly. It has greenish-yellow eyes that stand out. Its body, called the thorax, is a brownish-green color. The sides of its body are a bit lighter.
Its wings are clear, like glass. They have a small patch of amber-yellow color. The main part of its body, the abdomen, is a yellowish-brown. It has cool blue and reddish-brown marks.
- Males: The second part of the abdomen is bright blue on top.
- Females: This part is a pale grey-blue.
The rest of the abdomen has yellowish parts with reddish-brown stripes. Segments 8 and 9 have a wide, dark stripe. Segment 10 is bright yellow with a black base. Females look very similar to males.
Vagrant Emperor Habitats
Vagrant Emperor dragonflies like to live near water. Their natural homes include places like:
- Wetlands with lots of shrubs
- Swamps
- Freshwater lakes
- Marshes
- Freshwater springs
They often breed in shallow ponds and marshy areas. These dragonflies are known for traveling long distances. Sometimes, they are even seen in the British Isles during winter, which is quite rare for them!
