Neurothemis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Neurothemis
Fulvous Forest Skimmer
Pied Paddy Skimmer
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Infraorder:	Anisoptera
Family:	Libellulidae
Genus:	Neurothemis Brauer, 1867

Neurothemis is a special group, or genus, of beautiful dragonflies. They are part of a larger group called the Libellulidae family, which are often known as "skimmer" dragonflies. These amazing insects are found across many parts of the world, including India, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific region. Many Neurothemis species are famous for their bright red colors.

What are Dragonflies?

Dragonflies are fascinating insects known for their large, clear wings and long bodies. They are incredible flyers, able to hover, fly backward, and even reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour! Dragonflies have huge eyes that help them see almost all around them, making them excellent hunters. They catch smaller insects like mosquitoes and flies right out of the air.

Where Do Neurothemis Dragonflies Live?

Neurothemis dragonflies love warm places. You can find them in many different habitats, especially near water. They live in places like:

• Ponds and lakes
• Slow-moving rivers and streams
• Marshes and swamps
• Paddy fields (rice fields)

Their wide range covers a huge area, from the hot climates of India and Southeast Asia all the way to Australia and the islands of the Pacific Ocean. They need water to lay their eggs and for their young to grow.

What Do Neurothemis Dragonflies Look Like?

Many Neurothemis species are known for their striking colors. While some can be brown or black, a lot of them are a vibrant red. This red color often covers their bodies and even parts of their wings, making them very noticeable.

Like all dragonflies, they have:

• Two pairs of strong wings: These wings are usually clear, but in Neurothemis, parts of them can be colored.
• Large compound eyes: These eyes are made up of thousands of tiny lenses, giving them amazing vision.
• A long, slender body: This helps them fly quickly and gracefully.

For example, the Fulvous Forest Skimmer has reddish-brown wings, while the Pied Paddy Skimmer has unique black patches on its wings.

Life Cycle of a Dragonfly

Dragonflies have an interesting life cycle that involves living both in water and in the air.

Eggs and Nymphs

The female dragonfly lays her eggs in or near water. When the eggs hatch, tiny creatures called nymphs emerge. These nymphs live underwater, breathing through gills. They are fierce predators, hunting other small aquatic creatures like tadpoles and insect larvae. They can spend months or even years as nymphs, growing and shedding their skin many times.

Emergence and Adult Life

When a nymph is ready to become an adult, it crawls out of the water, often onto a plant stem. Its skin splits open, and the adult dragonfly slowly emerges. This is a delicate process. Once its wings dry and harden, the adult dragonfly takes its first flight. Adult dragonflies live for only a few weeks or months, focusing on finding food and reproducing.

Species of Neurothemis

The Neurothemis genus includes many different species, each with its own unique features. Here are some of the known species:

• Neurothemis decora (Kaup in Brauer, 1866)
• Neurothemis degener Selys, 1879
• Neurothemis disparilis Kirby, 1889
• Neurothemis feralis (Burmeister, 1839)
• Neurothemis fluctuans (Fabricius, 1793)
• Neurothemis fulvia (Drury, 1773) – fulvous forest skimmer
• Neurothemis intermedia (Rambur, 1842)
• Neurothemis luctuosa Lieftinck, 1942
• Neurothemis manadensis (Boisduval, 1835)
• Neurothemis nesaea Ris, 1911
• Neurothemis oligoneura Brauer, 1867 – spotted grasshawk
• Neurothemis papuensis Lieftinck, 1942
• Neurothemis ramburii (Kaup in Brauer, 1866)
• Neurothemis stigmatizans (Fabricius, 1775) – painted grasshawk
• Neurothemis taiwanensis Seehausen & Dow, 2016
• Neurothemis terminata Ris, 1911
• Neurothemis tullia (Drury, 1773) – pied paddy skimmer