Green-eyed spreadwing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Green-eyed spreadwing |
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| Male | |
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| Female | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Platylestes
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| Species: |
platystylus
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| Synonyms | |
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Lestes platystyla Rambur, 1842 |
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The green-eyed spreadwing (Platylestes platystylus) is a type of damselfly. It belongs to the Lestidae family, which are often called "spreadwings." These damselflies are known for resting with their wings spread out. Even though they seem to live in many places, it's hard to find recent sightings of them. They have been seen in countries like India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The green-eyed spreadwing is a small damselfly. It has a dull color, similar in size to other Lestes damselflies.
Body Color and Markings
Its body, especially the part behind its head (called the prothorax) and its chest area (thorax), is a light khaki brown. The sides are even lighter. Underneath, it has a white, powdery coating called pruinescence. You can see many small black spots on its thorax.
Wings and Eyes
Its wings are slightly smoky or cloudy. They have a short, wide spot near the tip called a pterostigma. This spot is white or pale at both its inner and outer ends. The damselfly gets its name from its green eyes, which are a cool feature!
Abdomen and Tail
The abdomen, or tail part, is an olive to warm reddish-brown color. Each segment of the abdomen has black rings at its end. The tail-end parts, called anal appendages, are whitish. The upper ones are black at their base and curl inward to meet each other. The lower ones are about half as long and thick at their base.
Female Damselflies
Female green-eyed spreadwings look very much like the males. Their anal appendages are yellow, but brownish-black at the base. They are about as long as the tenth segment of their abdomen.
Where Does It Live?
This damselfly species is found in parts of Asia. Old records show it in West Bengal in India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos. More recently, it has been seen in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Kerala, which is in South India.
How to Tell It Apart
Two main features help you identify the green-eyed spreadwing:
- The small black spots on each side of its thorax (chest area).
- Its square-shaped pterostigma (the spot on its wings) that is white at both ends.
These features help tell it apart from other types of spreadwings.
See also
- List of odonates of India
- List of odonata of Kerala
Images for kids
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Dorsal view of male, showing black spots on thorax
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Lateral view of male
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Female
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Terminal abdominal appendages of male
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Ventral view of terminal abdominal appendages of male
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Wing details. Note the quadrate pterostigma with white at both ends
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