Harlequin sprite facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harlequin sprite |
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The harlequin sprite (scientific name: Pseudagrion newtoni) is a beautiful type of damselfly. It belongs to a family of insects called Coenagrionidae, which are often known as "narrow-winged damselflies."
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Where It Lives: Distribution
The harlequin sprite is special because it's only found in one country: South Africa. This means it's an "endemic" species. It's quite rare and lives in specific, small areas within the KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga regions of South Africa.
Its Home: Habitat
Harlequin sprites love to live near streams that have lots of grass or sedges (grass-like plants) growing along their banks. These streams are usually found in hilly or mountainous areas.
Sadly, many of these natural homes have been changed by human activities. For example, land is used for farming, or farm animals walk all over the stream banks. Also, new plants like shrubs and trees can invade these areas. Because of these changes, the harlequin sprite can no longer live in many places where it used to be found. Its survival is now threatened.
What It Looks Like: Description
Let's look at a grown-up male harlequin sprite:
- Face: Its face is a bright orange color.
- Head: The top of its head is black, but it has bright orange spots behind its eyes. These "postocular" spots are connected by an orange line.
- Eyes: Its eyes are reddish-brown on top and yellowish-brown underneath.
- Body (Thorax): The upper part of its body (called the thorax) is black. It has orange stripes on the front, and its sides are green or blue.
- Tail (Abdomen): The top of its long tail (abdomen) is mostly black. However, the last few segments (S7 to S10) are a bright blue color on top.
- Wings: Its wings are clear, and the small, colored spots near the wingtips (called pterostigmata) are reddish-brown.
How to Tell It Apart: Identification
The harlequin sprite looks a lot like another damselfly called Pseudagrion hageni. But there are a few ways to tell them apart:
- Size: The harlequin sprite is generally smaller.
- Tail Markings: In P. hageni, the S7 segment of the tail is black. But in the harlequin sprite, the S7 segment is blue.
- Special Mark: The harlequin sprite also has a unique bright blue, heart-shaped mark on its S10 tail segment. This is a great way to identify it!
- Habitat: Harlequin sprites prefer grasslands, while P. hageni is usually found in wooded areas.
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Male
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Male
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Male
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Male; head and thorax
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Male; abdomen (S6-S10)
