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Libélula Calopteryx virgo

Diputación de Málaga
Cópula del Caballito del diablo azul (Calopteryx virgo)

Libélula Calopteryx virgo

When to see them
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Safe appearance Probable appearance
MediosLand
Animal Life > Dragonflies

Description

Length: From 45 to 49 mm.
Hindwing spam: From 24 to 36 mm.
Male: Completely black wings with blue shades. 2. Green or blue thorax, depending on the light.
Female: 3. Smoky brown wings. 4. White pseudopterostigma is closer to the centre of the wing than in the case of Calopteryx xanthostoma. 5. Metallic green thorax and abdomen. 6. Metallic shades from segment 8 to 10.

 

Habitat

This species shows where very good environmental conditions are.
It can be found in the middle and upper river and stream courses. These damselflies can very often be found in shady rocky areas, around pools with clear water, where they rest on numerous shore plants, blackberries, reeds and oleanders.
In general, they live in colder waters at a higher altitude, but they can also live together with Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis, which belong to the same genus.

 

Way of life

They feed on small insects which they hunt between plants.
They fly a short distance between shore plants, such as reeds, blackberries, branches and bushes, where they also rest.

 

When to see this species

The species flies from May to August, above all in July, in Málaga.

 

Where to see this species

It is rare and confined to certain locations in the province. It has only been spotted in the middle and upper courses of the rivers Hozgarganta and the Pasadallana Gorge (Cortes de la Frontera), some streeams in the Sierra Bermeja, the River Verde (Istán), and the upper courses of the River Chillar, which is the only location that belongs to this province.
It has not been seen along the Great Málaga Path but it is possible that it can be spotted near the paths that go along the rivers and streams in the Almijara Mountains, especially on stages 5 and 6.

 

Similar species

Calopteryx virgo and C. haemorrhoidalis.

 

Conservation status

The species is not endangered nor protected by the current environmental law.