Greater crimson glider Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Greater crimson glider

Male U. s. signata

Female U. s. signata
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Infraorder:	Anisoptera
Family:	Libellulidae
Genus:	Urothemis
Species:	U. signata
Binomial name
*Urothemis signata* (Rambur, 1842)
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Synonyms
Libellula signata Rambur, 1842

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The greater crimson glider (Urothemis signata) is a beautiful type of dragonfly. You can find these amazing insects in many parts of Asia. They belong to a family of dragonflies called Libellulidae. There are a few different kinds, or "subspecies," of this dragonfly found around the world.

Different Types of Greater Crimson Gliders
What Does the Greater Crimson Glider Look Like?
- Differences Between Males and Females
Where Do Greater Crimson Gliders Live?
Image gallery
- See also

Different Types of Greater Crimson Gliders

Did you know that some animals have different groups within their species? These groups are called subspecies. The greater crimson glider has four recognized subspecies. They live in different parts of the world.

Urothemis signata aliena (Selys, 1878) - This subspecies lives in Australia and New Guinea.
Urothemis signata insignata (Selys, 1872) - You can find this one in a region called Sundaland.
Urothemis signata signata (Rambur 1842) - This subspecies lives in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, China, and Indochina.
Urothemis signata yiei (Asahina, 1972) - This type is found in Taiwan.

A male U. s. insignata from Borneo.

What Does the Greater Crimson Glider Look Like?

This dragonfly is a medium-sized insect. It has bright red eyes. Its body, including its chest (thorax) and tail (abdomen), is also red.

Its wings are clear, like glass. But look closely! At the base of its back wings, there's a special amber-colored spot. This spot is surrounded by a dark-brown patch.

Differences Between Males and Females

The male dragonfly has a blood-red abdomen. It has some black marks on the top of its eighth and ninth segments (parts of its tail).

Female greater crimson gliders look similar to males. However, they are more yellowish in color. They also have black spots on the top of segments three through seven of their abdomen. Young males also have these black marks.

Where Do Greater Crimson Gliders Live?

These dragonflies like to live near water. They breed in ponds and slow-moving rivers. You will typically find them in lowland areas, which are flat areas of land that are not very high up.

Males often sit on exposed twigs or branches. They like to perch where they can see around them. It's cool that these dragonflies can even live in cities! They have managed to make their homes in urban water bodies and park ponds.