Calopteryx exul
| Glittering demoiselle | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Family: | Calopterygidae |
| Genus: | Calopteryx |
| Species: | C. exul |
| Binomial name | |
| Calopteryx exul Sélys, 1853 | |
The glittering demoiselle (Calopteryx exul) is an endangered species of damselfly in the family Calopterygidae. It is found in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Its natural habitat is along rivers, which are threatened by pollution.
This is a large damselfly with a total length of up to 50 mm. Unlike most other Calopteryx damselflies, the wings are unbanded in both sexes although the male has metallic venation that produce a distinctive blue flash on each wing beat when the insect is flying in the sun.
References
- Boudot, J.-P. 2005. Calopteryx exul. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 9 August 2007.
- Dijkstra, Klaas-Douwe B. (2006). Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe. p. 69. ISBN 0-9531399-4-8.