Eusynthemis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eusynthemis |
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| Eusynthemis tillyardi | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
| Family: | Synthemistidae |
| Genus: | Eusynthemis Förster, 1903 |
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Eusynthemis is a group of amazing dragonflies often called tigertails. These fascinating insects belong to the family Synthemistidae. They are known for their striking appearance. Most species of tigertails live in Australia. One special species, Eusynthemis frontalis, can be found in the Solomon Islands.
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About Tigertail Dragonflies
Dragonflies are incredible flying insects. They are known for their large eyes, strong wings, and long bodies. Tigertails, like other dragonflies, are expert flyers. They can hover, fly backward, and even turn in mid-air!
Dragonflies are also important predators. They help control populations of smaller insects. This includes mosquitoes and flies. They are a key part of the natural world.
Where Tigertails Live
Tigertail dragonflies usually live near fresh water. This includes streams, rivers, and ponds. They need water for their young to grow. The larvae, or nymphs, live underwater. They hunt tiny aquatic creatures.
Adult tigertails fly around these watery areas. They hunt other insects in the air. Their habitats are often in forests or bushy areas. These places provide shelter and food.
What Makes Them Special?
The name "tigertail" likely comes from their patterns. Many species have stripes or markings. These can be on their bodies or wings. They help them blend in with their surroundings. This makes them good at hunting.
Like all dragonflies, tigertails have a unique life cycle. They start as eggs laid in water. Then they hatch into nymphs. These nymphs live underwater for months or even years. They breathe with gills. When they are ready, they climb out of the water. They shed their skin one last time. This is when they become adult dragonflies.
Species of Tigertails
The Eusynthemis genus includes many different species. Each one has its own unique features. Here are some of the known species:
- Eusynthemis aurolineata (Tillyard, 1913) - variable tigertail
- Eusynthemis barbarae (Moulds, 1985) - Mount Lewis tigertail
- Eusynthemis brevistyla (Selys, 1871) - small tigertail
- Eusynthemis deniseae Theischinger, 1977 - Carnarvon tigertail
- Eusynthemis frontalis Lieftinck, 1949
- Eusynthemis guttata (Selys, 1871) - southern tigertail
- Eusynthemis netta Theischinger, 1999 - pretty tigertail
- Eusynthemis nigra (Tillyard, 1906) - black tigertail
- Eusynthemis rentziana Theischinger, 1998 - swift tigertail
- Eusynthemis tenera Theischinger, 1995 - rainforest tigertail
- Eusynthemis tillyardi Theischinger, 1995 - mountain tigertail
- Eusynthemis ursa Theischinger, 1999 - Barrington tigertail
- Eusynthemis ursula Theischinger, 1998 - beech tigertail
- Eusynthemis virgula (Selys, 1874) - golden tigertail
 | James Van Der Zee |
 | Alma Thomas |
 | Ellis Wilson |
 | Margaret Taylor-Burroughs |
