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Ancient greenling facts for kids

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Ancient greenling
Hemiphlebia mirabilis LongSwamp091113-5940.jpg
mating pair
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Hemiphlebia mirabilis distribution map.svg

The ancient greenling (Hemiphlebia mirabilis) is a small, shiny green damselfly. It has a long, metallic-green body and clear wings. This special insect lives only in south-eastern Australia. Its natural home, which is usually a swamp, is in danger because of habitat loss.

This damselfly is the only living type in its group, called Hemiphlebia, and its family, called Hemiphlebiidae. The oldest known relative of this family is a fossil called Enteropia mongolica. It lived a very long time ago, during the Late Jurassic period, in what is now Mongolia.

Where the Ancient Greenling Lives

The ancient greenling has been found in only a few places. These include King Island and Mount William in Tasmania. It also lives in Wilsons Promontory National Park and near Yea in Victoria. Another spot is Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park in south-eastern South Australia.

These damselflies like to live near fresh water. Their homes include ponds that stay wet all year. They also live in lagoons by rivers and in swamps. Some of these swamps might dry out during certain seasons. A great place found in 2008 is Long Swamp. It is in the Discovery Bay Coastal Park in Victoria. This swamp has many twig-rush plants. These areas get flooded with water in some seasons but can dry up by late summer.

Protecting the Ancient Greenling

The ancient greenling is a very special insect. In 2008, its protection status was changed. It went from being "Vulnerable" to "Endangered." This means it is now at a higher risk of disappearing.

This change happened for a few reasons. First, the areas where it lives are very small. Second, the groups of damselflies are tiny and spread out. Also, some of these groups were getting smaller. Because of these reasons, it's very important to protect their homes.

Gallery

  • Hemiphlebia mirabilis female wings (33985042264)

    Female wings

  • Hemiphlebia mirabilis male wings (33985048874)

    Male wings

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Hemiphlebia mirabilis para niños

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