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Kirby's dropwing facts for kids

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Kirby's dropwing
Trithemis kirbyi.jpg
Male, Tsumeb, Namibia
Conservation status
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Trithemis
Species:
T. kirbyi
Binomial name
Trithemis kirbyi
Selys, 1891
Distribution of Trithemis kirbyi.png
Range of Trithemis kirbyi
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Synonyms
  • Trithemis kirbyi ardens (Gerstäcker, 1891)

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The Kirby's dropwing, also called the orange-winged dropwing or scarlet rock glider, is a type of dragonfly. It belongs to a family of dragonflies known as Libellulidae. These amazing insects are known for their bright colors and quick flight.

Where Kirby's Dropwings Live

Kirby's dropwings are found in many parts of the world. They live across a large area, mostly in Africa. You can spot them in countries like South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco.

They also live in southern Europe, the Arabian Peninsula, and islands in the Indian Ocean. You can even find them as far east as India in South Asia.

Since 2003, these dragonflies have started moving into Europe more. This is partly because the weather has been getting warmer. They are now successfully having babies in countries like Spain, Portugal, and France.

What They Look Like and Where They Live

The male Kirby's dropwing is a medium-sized dragonfly. It has a bright scarlet (red) body. Its clear wings have a wide, reddish-amber patch near the base.

  • The male's body (abdomen) is about 21 to 24 millimeters long.
  • Its back wings are about 24 to 27 millimeters long.

The female looks a lot like the male. However, her colors are usually not as bright.

  • The female's body is about 23 millimeters long.
  • Her back wings are about 26 to 30 millimeters long.

These dragonflies love to live near water. Their favorite places are warm streams and rivers. They also breed in marshes, ponds, and lakes. You will often see them resting on rocks or dry areas near riverbeds.

TrithemiskirbyiUAE
Trithemis kirbyi from United Arab Emirates

Images for kids

  • Female Orange-winged Dropwing. Trithemis kibyii - Flickr - gailhampshire

    Female

  • Kirby's dropwing trithemis kirbyi dragonfly

    Male, Okavango Delta, Botswana

  • Orange-winged dropwing (Trithemis kirbyi) male Oman

    Male, Zighy Bay, Musandam Peninsula, Oman

  • Kirby's dropwing dragonfly (Trithemis kirbyi) male

    Male, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa

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