Calocypha laidlawi,[2] or myristica sapphire,[3][4] is a rare species of damselfly belonging to the family Chlorocyphidae. It is found only from Karnataka and Kerala in South India.[1][5]

Calocypha laidlawi
Male
Female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Zygoptera
Family: Chlorocyphidae
Genus: Calocypha
Species:
C. laidlawi
Binomial name
Calocypha laidlawi
(Fraser, 1924)
Synonyms

Rhinocypha laidlawi Fraser, 1924

Description and habitat edit

It is a small damselfly with big eyes and several vermilion spots on the head. Its thorax is dark with a narrow vermilion mark on dorsum and pale yellow marks on the lower part of lateral sides. The apical third of each wing is black with dark violet-metallic reflections. Its abdomen is black, marked with bright azure blue on segments 1 to 8.[6]

Female is black with yellow markings on the face, thorax and abdomen. Abdomen is black, marked with yellow mid-lateral stripes and dots in segments 2 to 7. Fore-wings are transparent. Apices of the hind-wings are broadly brown. Pterostigma are with inner half black and outer half white.[6]

It breeds in forest streams and rivers flowing through the myristica swamps. It is commonly found perched on half-submerged logs in mid-stream or resting on twigs overhanging the river.[7][6][8][3][4] It is a shade-lover; found perched on partially submerged logs in mid-stream or resting on overhanging twigs in the river.[6]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Dow, R.A. (2009). "Calocypha laidlawi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2009: e.T163604A5622415. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009-2.RLTS.T163604A5622415.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ Paulson, D.; Schorr, M.; Abbott, J.; Bota-Sierra, C.; Deliry, C.; Dijkstra, K.-D.; Lozano, F. (2023). "World Odonata List". OdonataCentral, University of Alabama. Retrieved 14 Mar 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Calocypha laidlawi Fraser, 1924". India Biodiversity Portal. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
  4. ^ a b "Calocypha laidlawi Fraser, 1924". Odonata of India, v. 1.00. Indian Foundation for Butterflies. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
  5. ^ K.A., Subramanian; K.G., Emiliyamma; R., Babu; C., Radhakrishnan; S.S., Talmale (2018). Atlas of Odonata (Insecta) of the Western Ghats, India. Zoological Survey of India. pp. 74–75. ISBN 9788181714954.
  6. ^ a b c d C FC Lt. Fraser (1934). The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma, Odonata Vol. II. Red Lion Court, Fleet Street, London: Taylor and Francis. pp. 53-55.
  7. ^ Subramanian, K. A. (2005). Dragonflies and Damselflies of Peninsular India - A Field Guide.
  8. ^ C FC Lt. Fraser (1924). A Survey of the Odonate (Dragonfly) Fauna of Western India and Descriptions of Thirty New Species (PDF). pp. 482–483.

External links edit

  Data related to Calocypha laidlawi at Wikispecies   Media related to Calocypha laidlawi at Wikimedia Commons