Rhyothemis princeps

Rhyothemis princeps
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Anisoptera
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Rhyothemis
Species: R. princeps
Binomial name
Rhyothemis princeps
(Kirby, 1894)

Rhyothemis princeps, known as the Sapphire flutterer, is a species of dragonfly of the family Libellulidae. The flight of the Rhyothemis genus is usually fluttering leading to the common description of "flutterer" for most species in the genus.

Rhyothemis princeps is found in Australia and New Guinea only. The species is a medium-sized dragonfly (wingspan 70mm, length 40mm) that inhabits a variety of freshwater lakes, ponds, and swamps. It has a dark blue to black abdomen, and its wings are dark, with two or three pale patches on the outer section. Some specimens have dark patches at the wingtips. In sunlight the dark colours can reflect a metallic purplish tinge. In Australia its range is limited to north-east Queensland from Cape York Peninsula to around Rockhampton.[1]

References

  1. Theischinger, Gunther; Hawking, John (2006). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood Vic.: CSIRO. p. 286. ISBN 0643090738.
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