Rhyothemis graphiptera, known as the graphic flutterer[4] or banded flutterer, is a species of dragonfly of the family Libellulidae.[5][3] It is found across northern Australia, the Moluccas, New Guinea and New Caledonia. Rhyothemis extends from Africa to the western Pacific.[6]
| Rhyothemis graphiptera | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male, Cairns, Queensland, Australia | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
| Family: | Libellulidae |
| Genus: | Rhyothemis |
| Species: | R. graphiptera |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhyothemis graphiptera | |
 | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
The flight of the genus Rhyothemis is usually fluttering. Rhyothemis graphiptera, a medium-sized dragonfly (wingspan 70mm, length 35mm), inhabits lagoons, lakes, ponds and swamps. The abdomen is dark and the wings are brownish-yellow with dark mottled markings.[4] The taxon has been assessed for the IUCN Red List as being of least concern, and is noted in the Catalog of Life.[7]
Etymology
editThe genus name Rhyothemis is derived from the Greek ῥέω (rheō, "to flow") and -themis, from Greek Θέμις (Themis), the goddess of divine law, order and justice. In early odonate taxonomy, names ending in -themis were widely used for dragonflies. The name may refer to the irregularly banded and coloured wings of species in the genus, resembling flow banding in rhyolite.[8]
The species name graphiptera is derived from the Greek γραφή (graphē, "drawing" or "painting") and –πτερος (pteros, "winged"), referring to the coloured wing markings.[2][8]
Gallery
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Male showing independent movement of forewings and hindwings
Male holding wings flat
Female showing wing pattern
Female head on
4. Rhyothemis graphiptera from Australian Insects 1907.
Female wings
Male wings
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See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ Dow, R.A. (2017). "Rhyothemis graphiptera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T83370076A83383928. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T83370076A83383928.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- 1 2 Rambur, Jules (1842). Histoire naturelle des insectes. Névroptères (in French). Paris: Librairie Encyclopédique de Roret. pp. 534 [45] – via Gallica.
- 1 2 Paulson, D.; Schorr, M.; Abbott, J.; Bota-Sierra, C.; Deliry, C.; Dijkstra, K.-D.; Lozano, F. "World Odonata List". OdonataCentral. University of Alabama.
- 1 2 Theischinger, Gunther; Hawking, John (2006). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood Vic.: CSIRO. p. 286. ISBN 0-643-09073-8.
- ↑ "Species Rhyothemis graphiptera (Rambur, 1842)". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ↑ 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. p. 278. ISBN 0-643-05136-8.
- ↑ "Rhyothemis graphiptera". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- 1 2 Endersby, Ian; Fliedner, Heinrich (2015). The Naming of Australia's Dragonflies. Eltham, Victoria, Australia: Busybird Publishing. ISBN 9781925260625.
