Libélula Boyeria irene
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Description
Length: From 63 to 71 mm.
Hindwing spam: From 39 to 45 mm.
Male: 1. Green eyes with a bluish tint, which changes depending on the light, and greyish shades on immature individuals. 2. Thorax is brown with yellowish or greeny stripes. 3. Narrower section on S2. 4. Abdomen is green or yellowish with black markings. 5. S9 and S10 are light, without black markings. 6. Long anal appendages.
Female: It is similar to male in patterns, but its colour are duller. 7. Brown eyes. 8. S2 is not as narrow as in males. 9. S9 and S10 have dark markings and short anal appendages.
Habitat
It lives is middle and upper river and stream courses with plenty of trees on the riverbanks, above all willows. They also live in small canyons, called 'cahorros' in Spanish.
Way of life
Their flight pattern is slow and bouncy. They often fly at a low altitude, patrol continuously and explore shady shores, between rocks, roots and low vegetation. They fly for hours and hardly ever rest on plants. When at rest, they hang relatively high in a vertical position in vegetation or on the walls of canyons or riverbanks. Females lay eggs alone, on rocks or trunks that are close to water and in riverbank vegetation.
When to see this species
In Málaga, it can be seen from March to October, above all, from the beginning of May. Some individuals can exceptionally fly until December.
Where to see this species
It is widespread in the rivers and streams in the province. It has been seen along the following stages of the Great Málaga Path: 5, 7, 10, 13, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 31.
Similar species
Their colour patterns which help it camouflage make this species cannot be confused with others.
Conservation status
The species is not endangered nor is it particularly protected by the current environmental law.
Routes where it can be observed
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 05. Nerja - Frigiliana
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 07. Cómpeta - Canillas de Aceituno
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 10. Riogordo - Alfarnate
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 13. Archidona - Villanueva de Tapia
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 22. Ardales - El Burgo
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 23. El Burgo - Ronda
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 24. Ronda - Estación de Benaoján
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 25. Estación de Benaoján - Jimera de Líbar
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 26. Jimera de Líbar - Benalauría
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 27. Benalauría - Genalguacil
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 28. Genalguacil - Casares
- Great Malaga Path (GR 249). Stage 31. Marbella - Ojén