Heteragrion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heteragrion |
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| Heteragrion cyane | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Suborder: | Zygoptera |
| Family: | Heteragrionidae |
| Genus: | Heteragrion Selys, 1862 |
Heteragrion is a group, or genus, of amazing insects called damselflies. They are closely related to dragonflies but are usually smaller and hold their wings differently when resting. These cool insects belong to a family known as Heteragrionidae. The name Heteragrion was first used by a scientist named Selys in 1862.
Contents
Exploring Heteragrion Damselflies
What are Damselflies?
Damselflies are beautiful insects with long, slender bodies and two pairs of clear wings. They are often found near water, like streams, rivers, and ponds. Unlike their bigger cousins, dragonflies, damselflies usually hold their wings together over their back when they are resting. They are important predators, meaning they hunt and eat smaller insects.
Types of Heteragrion Damselflies
The Heteragrion genus includes many different kinds of damselflies. Scientists have discovered and named lots of them! Each one has its own unique features. Here is a list of some of the known species in this group:
- Heteragrion aequatoriale
- Heteragrion albifrons
- Heteragrion alienum
- Heteragrion angustipenne
- Heteragrion archon
- Heteragrion atrolineatum
- Heteragrion aurantiacum
- Heteragrion azulum
- Heteragrion bariai
- Heteragrion beschkii
- Heteragrion bickorum
- Heteragrion breweri
- Heteragrion brianmayi
- Heteragrion calendulum
- Heteragrion chlorotaeniatum
- Heteragrion chrysops
- Heteragrion cinnamomeum
- Heteragrion consors
- Heteragrion cooki
- Heteragrion dorsale
- Heteragrion eboratum - also known as the ivory-faced flatwing
- Heteragrion erythrogastrum
- Heteragrion flavidorsum
- Heteragrion flavovittatum
- Heteragrion freddiemercuryi
- Heteragrion gracile
- Heteragrion ictericum
- Heteragrion icterops
- Heteragrion inca
- Heteragrion luisfelipei
- Heteragrion johndeaconi
- Heteragrion majus
- Heteragrion makiritare
- Heteragrion mantiqueirae
- Heteragrion melanurum
- Heteragrion mitratum
- Heteragrion muryense
- Heteragrion obsoletum
- Heteragrion ochraceum
- Heteragrion ovatum
- Heteragrion palmichale
- Heteragrion pemon
- Heteragrion peregrinum
- Heteragrion petiense
- Heteragrion rogertaylori
- Heteragrion rubrifulvum
- Heteragrion silvarum
- Heteragrion simulatum
- Heteragrion tiradentense
- Heteragrion triangulare
- Heteragrion tricellulare - also known as the highland flatwing
- Heteragrion valgum
Famous Namesakes
Some of the Heteragrion damselfly species have been given very special names. For example, in 2013, a scientist named Lencioni named several new species after members of the famous rock band Queen!
- Heteragrion brianmayi was named after Brian May, the guitarist.
- Heteragrion freddiemercuryi was named after Freddie Mercury, the lead singer.
- Heteragrion johndeaconi was named after John Deacon, the bassist.
- Heteragrion rogertaylori was named after Roger Taylor, the drummer.
This shows how scientists sometimes use creative ways to name new species they discover!
