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Systematic list - part 16: Dragonflies

 

Copper Demoiselle Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis (30+)

At least 30 at Cava Carosello on 3rd May. They were more variable than I'd expected - many weren't obviously reddish at all.

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Copper Demoiselles, Cava Carosella, 3rd May

 

Southern Emerald Damselfly Lestes barbarus (2+)

At least 2 at Granelli on 30th April.

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Southern Emerald Damselflies, Granelli, 3rd May

 

Island Bluetail Ischnura genei (3+)

This species replaces the more familiar Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans on Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica (and some smaller islands). The only other Bluetail supposed to occur on mainland Sicily is Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura pumilio but that is restricted to the NE of the island. Several Bluetails at Riserva Naturale Orientata Biviere di Gela were therefore presumably genei.

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Island Bluetails, Riserva Naturale Orientate Biviere di Gela, 28th April

 

Emperor Anax imperator (3)

2 in Cava Carosello and at least 1 at Cava Grande del Cassibile.

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Emperor, Cava Carosella, 3rd May

 

Southern Skimmer Orthetrum brunneum (1)

A male at Cava Carosello on 3rd May.

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Southern Skimmer, Cava Carosella, 3rd May

 

Darter sp. Sympetrum sp. (1)

1 at Granelli on 29th April was probably either Common Darter S. striolatum or Southern Darter S. meridionale (the latter is scarcer in Sicily). Can you tell from the photo?

Several other dragonflies seen badly may have been Sympetrum but in at least some cases Crocothemis or other similar genera was suspected.

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Darter sp., Granelli, 29th April

 

Violet Dropwing Trithemis annulata (1)

A dragonfly photographed at Riserva Naturale Orientata Biviere di Gela seems to be a teneral male of this species.

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Violet Dropwing, Riserva Naturale Orientata Biviere di Gela, 28th April

 

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