Ischnura facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ischnura |
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| Ischnura heterosticta | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Suborder: | Zygoptera |
| Family: | Coenagrionidae |
| Genus: | Ischnura Charpentier, 1840 |
Ischnura is a group of tiny, colorful insects. They are a type of damselfly. People often call them forktails. This is because the males have a special forked shape at the end of their bodies.
You can find forktails all over the world. They live in many different places, even on islands far out in the ocean. They belong to a family of insects called Coenagrionidae.
Contents
What Makes Forktails Special?
Forktails are usually small or very small damselflies. They have some cool features that help you spot them.
Eye-catching Eyes
When a forktail is fully grown, its eyes are quite interesting. The top part of their compound eyes is dark. But the bottom part is a different, lighter color. This makes their eyes stand out!
Body Colors
The main part of their body, called the thorax, is often green. It might also have stripes on its sides.
Male forktails usually have a black body. The very tip of their abdomen (the tail end) is often bright blue. This blue tip is a key feature for identifying them.
Female Colors
Female forktails can be quite varied in color. Some species show polymorphism. This means they can have different color forms within the same species.
Some females start out orange. As they get older, their color gets darker. Other females look very similar to the males of their species.
Where Do Forktails Live?
Forktails live in many different places around the world. They are found in:
- Asia
- Africa
- Europe
- North America
- South America
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Many islands in Oceania
There are many different kinds of forktails. Each kind is a unique species. Some well-known species include the Aurora Bluetail and the Eastern Forktail.
See also
In Spanish: Ischnura para niños
