Yellow-faced sprite facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yellow-faced sprite |
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The yellow-faced sprite (Pseudagrion citricola) is a type of damselfly. Damselflies are small, delicate insects that are related to dragonflies. This particular damselfly belongs to a group called the Coenagrionidae family. It is also known as the yellow-faced sprite because of its bright yellow face.
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Where Does It Live?
This special damselfly only lives in two countries: South Africa and Lesotho. It loves to hang out in grassy areas high up in the mountains. You can also find it in a drier area called the Karoo. Sometimes, it even lives closer to the coast in parts of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape.
Good news! This damselfly is doing very well. There are lots of them, and their numbers seem to be staying strong. Scientists don't think anything is threatening them right now.
Its Favorite Places
The yellow-faced sprite likes to live near water. You can find it near calm pools of water. It also enjoys slow-moving parts of streams and rivers. These watery spots are perfect for them to hunt and live.
What Does It Look Like?
The adult male yellow-faced sprite is quite colorful! Its face is a bright yellow. The top of its head is black, but it has bright blue spots behind its eyes. These are called postocular spots. The top part of its eyes are black, while the lower parts can be yellow, amber, or light green.
The top part of its body, called the thorax, is dark blue. When the damselfly is young, this part looks shiny. As it gets older, it gets a light, powdery coating that makes it look a bit duller. The bottom part of its thorax is greenish-blue. Its long body, called the abdomen, is a dull dark blue. Older damselflies have more of that powdery coating on their abdomen. The upper parts of segments 8 and 9 of its abdomen are a bright purple-blue. Its wings are clear, and the small, colored spots near the tips of the wings (called pterostigmata) are dull brown. These spots get darker as the damselfly ages.
How to Spot a Yellow-Faced Sprite
It can be tricky to tell different damselflies apart! In South Africa, there are only two other types of sprites that also have yellow faces.
One is the Pseudagrion gamblesi. This damselfly is much bigger than the yellow-faced sprite. It also has stripes on its thorax. You'll only find Pseudagrion gamblesi in faster-flowing rivers at lower altitudes in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
The other similar damselfly is Pseudagrion caffrum. This one lives in the same areas as the yellow-faced sprite. However, Pseudagrion caffrum does not have those bright blue spots behind its eyes. Also, its wing spots (pterostigmata) are a brighter rusty red color.
Images for kids
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Male
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Male
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Male
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Tail (abdomen) of male
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Female
