Sinolestes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sinolestes |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Sinolestes
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| Species: |
editus
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Sinolestes is a type of damselfly, which is an insect similar to a dragonfly. This special damselfly belongs to the family Synlestidae. There's only one known species in the Sinolestes group, and it's called Sinolestes editus.
You can find this damselfly in parts of southeastern China, including provinces like Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi. It also lives in Taiwan and might be found in northern Vietnam.
Contents
What Does Sinolestes editus Look Like?
The Sinolestes editus damselfly has a long body called an abdomen. For males, this part is usually about 52 to 58 millimeters long (that's about 2 to 2.3 inches). Females have an abdomen that's around 54 millimeters long (about 2.1 inches).
Colors and Markings
Male damselflies have a shiny, deep metallic green body with some pale yellow markings.
- Their head is yellow at the back.
- Their eyes are a light green color.
- The part of their body behind the head, called the pronotum, is yellow on the sides.
- On the front of their chest area (the synthorax), they have a wide, long stripe that is also yellow. The sides of their chest also have yellow parts.
Wings and Legs
The wings of Sinolestes editus are usually clear and see-through. However, some damselflies have dark bands across their wings. Scientists used to think these were different types of damselflies, but now they know it's just a normal difference within the same species.
There's a small, colored spot near the tip of their wings called the pterostigma. This spot starts as yellowish-brown and gets darker as the damselfly gets older, eventually turning completely black. Their legs are black.
Female Differences
Female Sinolestes editus look a lot like the males. However, their yellow markings on the abdomen are usually more noticeable. Also, their pterostigma stays a pale yellowish-brown even when they are fully grown.
Where Does Sinolestes editus Live?
This damselfly likes to live in mountain forests.
Habitat in Taiwan
In Taiwan, you can find Sinolestes editus near small puddles in streams that are partly shaded by trees. These places are usually high up in the mountains, about 1,000 meters (or about 3,300 feet) above sea level.
Habitat in China
In China, these damselflies live at different heights. They can be found anywhere from about 220 meters (about 720 feet) to 1,900 meters (about 6,200 feet) above sea level.
Life and Habits
Sinolestes editus damselflies have interesting behaviors, especially when it comes to having babies.
Guarding Breeding Sites
Male damselflies are very protective of the places where they breed. They will perch (sit) on branches or tall grasses around small puddles. They do this to guard their territory and make sure other males don't come too close.
Laying Eggs
Female damselflies lay their eggs inside the stems of certain plants. They often choose plants like Polygonum chinense and Hydrangea angustipetala. The eggs are usually laid about 1 to 2 meters (about 3 to 6.5 feet) above the puddle.
