Glittering demoiselle (Calopteryx exul)

Description

Glittering demoiselle fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Glittering demoiselle description

This member of the broad-winged damselflies (Calopterygidae spp.) closely resembles the banded demoiselle (C. splendens) and has been regarded at times as a subspecies of the latter ⁽³⁾. Like the banded demoiselle, the male glittering demoiselle (Calopteryx exul) has a metallic bluish-green body while females are metallic green ^{(4) (5)}. Unlike this close relative, however, which possesses a distinctive blackish-blue band across its wings ⁽⁴⁾, the glittering demoiselle has clear, un-pigmented wings ^{(2) (3) (5)}.

Size

Male length of abdomen: 39 - 42 mm ⁽²⁾

Female length of abdomen: 37 - 39 mm ⁽²⁾

Male hind wing: 30 - 32 mm ⁽²⁾

Female hind wing: 32 - 36 mm ⁽²⁾

Glittering demoiselle biology

Relatively little is known of this damselfly’s biology, but much can be inferred from what is known of other Calopteryx species. Larvae of this group generally live amongst the mud, roots, aquatic vegetation and litter debris in streams and rivers, and in hot countries spend one winter here before emergence as an adult damselfly ⁽⁶⁾. The adult flight period for the glittering demoiselle runs from May to August, and adults must initially undergo a pre-reproductive phase known as the maturation period, which probably lasts about 15 days ^{(2) (6)}. This is when individuals normally develop their full adult colour ^{(6) (7)}. Once mature, Calopteryx males generally hold territories around suitable egg-laying sites, which they defend from other males, and actively court females that fly into their territory with elaborate displays. However, at high density, territorial behaviour disappears. As with other Calopteryx species, female glittering demoiselles oviposit in floating vegetation under the supervision of their mate ⁽⁶⁾.

Glittering demoiselle range

The glittering demoiselle is known from the mountains of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia ^{(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)}.

Glittering demoiselle habitat

Found in and around fast-flowing mountain streams, brooks and rivers, the glittering demoiselle is typically found 200 to 2,000 metres above sea level ^{(1) (2) (5)}.

Glittering demoiselle status

The glittering demoiselle is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾.

Glittering demoiselle threats

The glittering demoiselle is threatened by habitat loss and degradation as a result of water pollution and the drying of streams due to water-harnessing for human use, irrigation, climatic fluctuations and drought. All previously known populations in Algeria are now extinct due to heavy stream pollution, although no recent surveys in new areas have been undertaken. The impact of habitat loss and degradation is expected to continue in the future due to expanding human populations across this species’ range, a growing tourism industry in Tunisia and Morocco and global climatic changes ⁽¹⁾.

Glittering demoiselle conservation

There are currently no known conservation initiatives targeting the glittering demoiselle, but there is an urgent need for control of water use, in terms of both quantity and quality ⁽¹⁾.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Authentication

Authenticated (05/10/2006) by Jean-Pierre Boudot, CNRS, Université Henri Poincaré Nancy I, France.

Glossary

Emergence

The final moult in which a dragonfly emerges from its larval skin (final moult) as the adult form.

Larvae

Stage in an animal’s lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but are unable to reproduce.

Oviposit

Oviposition is egg-laying in insects, using a specialised organ called an ovipositor.

References

1. IUCN Red List (March, 2011)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org
2. D'Aguilar, J. and Dommanget, J.L. (1998) Guide des Libellules d'Europe et d'Afrique du Nord, 2ème édition. Delachaux et Niestlé, Lausanne, Paris.
3. Aguesse, P. (1968) Les Odonates de l'Europe occidentale, du nord de l'Afrique et des îles atlantiques. Faune de l'Europe et du bassin méditerranéen, 4.
4. Nelson, B., Thompson, R. and Morrow, C. (2000) [In] DragonflyIreland (August, 2006)
   http://www.habitas.org.uk/dragonflyireland/5617.htm
5. Jacquemin, G. and Boudot, J.P. (1999) Les Libellules (Odonates) du Maroc. Société Française d'Odonatologie, Bois d'Arcy.
6. Rüppell, G., Hilfert-Rüppel, D., Rehfeldt, G. and Schütte, C. (2005) Die Prachtlibellen Europas. Gattung Calopteryx. Die Neue Brehm-Bücherei, Vol. 654. Westarp-Wissenschaften, Hohenwarsleben, Germany.
7. O’Toole, C. (2002) The New Encyclopedia of Insects and Their Allies. Oxford University Press, Oxford.