Hemiphlebiidae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hemiphlebiidae |
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| Hemiphlebia mirabilis | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Suborder: | Zygoptera |
| Family: | Hemiphlebiidae Kennedy, 1920 |
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The Hemiphlebiidae is a special family of damselflies. Today, it has only one living species called the ancient greenling. This damselfly lives in Southern Australia and Tasmania. But this family has a very long history! Scientists have found fossils of damselflies from this group that are as old as the Late Jurassic period, which was millions of years ago.
What are Hemiphlebiidae Damselflies?
Damselflies are amazing insects that look a lot like dragonflies. They have long, slender bodies and two pairs of wings. When they rest, most damselflies hold their wings together over their back. The ancient greenling is a small, delicate damselfly. It's special because it's the only living member of a very old family.
Discovering Ancient Relatives: Fossils!
Even though there's only one type of Hemiphlebiidae damselfly alive today, many different kinds used to fly around Earth long ago. Scientists have found fossils of these ancient damselflies in amber (fossilized tree sap) and rocks from all over the world. These fossils help us understand how this family has changed over millions of years. Here are some of the ancient relatives that have been discovered:
- †Burmahemiphlebia: Found in Burmese amber in Myanmar, about 99 million years old.
- †Electrohemiphlebia: Discovered in amber from France, dating back 105 to 99 million years.
- †Enteropia: Found in Mongolia, around 145 million years old.
- Hemiphlebia: This is the genus for the living ancient greenling in Australia.
- †Jordanhemiphlebia: From Jordanian amber, about 112.6 to 99.7 million years old.
- †Kachinhemiphlebia: Also found in Burmese amber in Myanmar, about 99 million years old.
- †Mersituria: Discovered in Russia, dating back 130 to 125 million years.
- †Pantelusa: Found in Israel, about 94.3 to 89.3 million years old.
- †Parahemiphlebia: Found in the United Kingdom (145-140 million years old) and Brazil (122-112 million years old).
- †Thairia: Also discovered in Russia, from 130 to 125 million years ago.
These fossil discoveries show us that the Hemiphlebiidae family was once much larger and spread across many different parts of the world!
