Wikipedia

Red and blue damsel

The red and blue damsel, (Xanthagrion erythroneurum) is a damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae.[4][1] It is the only member of the monotypic genus Xanthagrion.[5][6]

Red and blue damsel
Male, Tasmania, Australia
Female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Clade: Pancrustacea
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Coenagrionidae
Genus: Xanthagrion
Selys 1876[2]
Species:
X. erythroneurum
Binomial name
Xanthagrion erythroneurum
Selys, 1876[3]

Description

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A red and blue damsel has a bright red face and thorax.[7] Its abdomen is pale in colour[7] and 2.2-2.4 cm long.[8] Females and males are similar in colour.[7]

Distribution and habitat

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The red and blue damsel is widespread across all Australian states,[8] as well as Fiji, New Caledonia, and other islands in the Pacific.[9] It is found in north and eastern Tasmania. It is typically found near dams, marshes and slow watercourses.[8]


Etymology

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The genus name Xanthagrion is derived from the Greek ξανθός (xanthos, "yellow") and Agrion, a genus name derived from the Greek ἄγριος (agrios, "wild"). Agrion was the name applied by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775 to all damselflies.[2][10]

The species name erythroneurum is derived from the Greek ἐρυθρός (erythros, "red") and νεῦρον (neuron, "nerve" or "sinew"), referring to the colour of the major wing veins.[3][10]

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References

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  1. 1 2 Dow, R.A. (2017). "Xanthagrion erythroneurum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T83152243A83381754. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T83152243A83381754.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Selys-Longchamps, E. (1876). "Synopsis des Agrionines (suite du genre Agrion)". Bulletin de la Classe des Science, Académie Royale de Belgique (in French). 42: 490–531, 952–991 [520] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. 1 2 Selys-Longchamps, E. (1876). "Synopsis des Agrionines (suite du genre Agrion)". Bulletin de la Classe des Science, Académie Royale de Belgique (in French). 42: 490–531, 952–991 [521] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  4. ↑ "Species Xanthagrion erythroneurum (Selys, 1876)". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  5. ↑ "Genus Xanthagrion Selys, 1876". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  6. ↑ Paulson, D.; Schorr, M.; Abbott, J.; Bota-Sierra, C.; Deliry, C.; Dijkstra, K.-D.; Lozano, F. "World Odonata List". OdonataCentral. University of Alabama. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 "Red and Blue Damselfly - Xanthagrion erythroneurum". Brisbane Insects. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
  8. 1 2 3 Daley, Elizabeth (2007). Wings: An introduction to Tasmania's winged insects. Riffles Pty Ltd.
  9. ↑ Watson, J.A.L.; Theischinger, G.; Abbey, H.M. (1991). The Australian Dragonflies: A Guide to the Identification, Distributions and Habitats of Australian Odonata. Melbourne: CSIRO. ISBN 978-0-643-05136-2.
  10. 1 2 Endersby, Ian; Fliedner, Heinrich (2015). The Naming of Australia's Dragonflies. Eltham, Victoria, Australia: Busybird Publishing. ISBN 9781925260625.
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