Ischnura ramburii

Rambur's Forktail

Introduction:

Males are green with blue on abdominal segments 8 and 9. Females are orange-red, olive green, or similar to males in coloration. Males have green eyes with black caps, and tiny blue spots behind their eyes of the top of their head. Their thorax is bright green below and dark metallic green top.
Life Cycle: They mate on the ground, on grasses, and the stems of plants. The male grabs the female by the back of the head with the end of their abdomen and the female curls her abdomen forward to form a heart-like shape. They mate from two to seven hours. Eggs are deposited in the late afternoon on floating leaves and stems.

Size 1-1.5 inch (2.5-3.5 cm)
Sexual Dimorphism: true
Metamorphosis: complete (egg, larva, pupa, adult)

Insect Data

Names and Taxonomy

Common Names: Rambur's forktail
Synonyms: Ischnura credula (Hagen, 1861)
Order: Odonata (Damselflies and Dragonflies)
Family: Coenagrionidae (Damselflies)
Genus Information: nk species in NV, nk in CA, 2 in US

Distribution

Distribution: throughout the Americas from the United States to Chile, as well as Hawaii and the Antilles
Seen: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve (6/7)
Habitat: Ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow streams with vegetation and sunlight are its main habitat. Damselfly nymphs never live in salt water, but I. ramburii nymphs have been observed in brackish and even sulphurous waters.
Food: As a voracious predator, Rambur's forktail helps control populations of other insects, including pests.

Photographs

Rambur's Forktail (Ischnura ramburii)

Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve (6/7)

Vocabulary Reference Material

Plants, leaf and flower anatomy is essential to properly classify

Sky Island vegetation biomes

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Get in touch

I am usually out hiking, birding or traveling but you can reach me at:

buzardweb@gmail.com