Eastern forktail

Eastern forktail (Ischnura verticalis) is a member of the damselfly family Coenagrionidae.[2][3]

Eastern forktail
Adult male
Adult female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Odonata
Suborder:
Zygoptera
Family:
Coenagrionidae
Genus:
Ischnura
Species:
I. verticalis
Binomial name
Ischnura verticalis
(Say, 1839) [1]

Distribution and habitat

This species is present in the Eastern United States, from the Atlantic coast to the Midwest and from north of Florida to Southern Canada[4] and west to Montana and New Mexico.[5]

Habitat

These damselflies inhabit various wetlands, especially small pond, slow moving streams and marshes.[4]

Description

Ischnura verticalis can reach a body length of 22–30 millimetres (0.87–1.18 in).[4] These small green, black and blue damselflies have a slender body with four wings folding over the back. The thorax of the males is black above, with pale green sides and green shoulder stripes. Eyes are dark above, greenish below. Abdomen is mainly black, with thin pale rings. The top of the abdomen (eighth and ninth abdominal segments) is blue, with black markings on sides.[4][5] The males' abdomens shows tiny projections off the tip (hence the common name verticalis of this species).[6]

Females are usually grayish-blue, with greyish markings on the abdomen. In the immature female thorax is bright orange with black dorsal and shoulder stripes. The abdomen is black above and orange below. Eyes are dark above, orange below.[4] The pterostigma is white to light brown. The females may be less commonly yellow-green like the male.[7][8]

This species is very similar to Ishnura perparva, or the Western Forktail. These two species can be better discriminate on the basis if their range.

Biology

Adults typically fly from late June to early October,[8] but in some location may extend from early April to early November.[6] Females are commonly monogamous, as they mate only once. They may fertilize over a thousand eggs with the sperm of a single male.[5][9]

  • Eastern Forktail Damselfly Mating Wheel (male on right)
  • Eggs deposition
  • Immature female. The grayish-blue color develops with age
  • Male
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References
  1. "Ischnura verticalis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
  2. Encyclopedia of life
  3. Say, Th. (1839) Descriptions of new North American neuropterous insects, and observations on some already described., Journal Academy Natural Sciences Philadelphia 8: 9-46.
  4. Bug Guide
  5. Odonata Central
  6. Wisconsin Odonata Survey
  7. Abbott, John C. (2005). Dragonflies and Damselflies of Texas and the South-Central United States. Princeton University Press. p. 141. ISBN 0-691-11364-5.
  8. Dubois, Bob. Damselflies of the North Woods. Duluth, MN:Kollath+Stensaas, 2005, p.110-111.
  9. Fincke, O.M. 1987. Female monogamy in the damselfly Ischnura verticalis Say (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae). Odonatologica 16: 129-143.


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