Socotra bluet facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Azuragrion granti |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Suborder: | Zygoptera |
| Family: | Coenagrionidae |
| Genus: | Azuragrion |
| Species: |
A. granti
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| Binomial name | |
| Azuragrion granti (McLachlan, 1903)
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| Synonyms | |
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Ischnura granti McLachlan, 1903 |
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The Socotra bluet (scientific name: Azuragrion granti) is a type of small, colorful insect called a damselfly. It belongs to a family known as Coenagrionidae, which are often called "narrow-winged damselflies." This special insect lives only on the island of Socotra in the Indian Ocean. Its closest relatives are found in Africa.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The Socotra bluet is mostly blue. It has black marks on top of its head. You can also see black stripes along its body, especially on the chest area (called the thorax). The upper part of its tail (abdomen) is black, but the underside is lighter.
This damselfly has thin, clear wings. When it rests, it holds these wings straight up over its body.
Where Does It Live?
The Socotra bluet lives only on the island of Socotra. This island is part of Yemen. It mostly lives in the eastern part of the island. This area has mountains made of granite. It covers about 550 square kilometers in the Hagheir Mountains.
The Socotra bluet does not seem to live in the western part of Socotra. That area has a different type of rock called karst. There are not many open freshwater places there for the damselflies to live.
What Is Its Home Like?
The Socotra bluet's natural habitats are places with fresh water. These include rivers, lakes that sometimes dry up, freshwater marshes, and ponds. It needs these watery places to survive and have its young.
This species lays its eggs and develops in mountain streams. We don't know much about the rest of its life cycle.
Why Is It Important to Protect It?
The places where the Socotra bluet lives are changing. People are taking water from its habitats. Also, pollution is affecting the water quality. This is happening especially in the lowlands, where more tourists visit.
Because of these problems, the Socotra bluet is listed as a near-threatened species. This means it could become endangered in the future. Since it only lives on Socotra and in a small area, any new buildings or changes on the island could really harm this special insect.
 | Precious Adams |
 | Lauren Anderson |
 | Janet Collins |
