''Cordulephya pygmaea'' is a species of
dragonfly
A dragonfly is a flying insect belonging to the infraorder Anisoptera below the order Odonata. About 3,000 extant species of dragonflies are known. Most are tropical, with fewer species in temperate regions. Loss of wetland habitat threat ...
in the superfamily
Libelluloidea
Libelluloidea is a superfamily of dragonflies.
A 2013 phylogenetic analysis suggests that this superfamily contains four families:
*Corduliidae Selys, 1850
*Libellulidae Leach, 1815
* Macromiidae Needham, 1903
*Synthemistidae Tillyard, 1911
R ...
,
also known as the common shutwing.
It inhabits streams in eastern Australia.
It is small to tiny in size, coloured black, or purplish-black, with yellowish markings. It rests with its wings folded above its body in a similar manner to a
damselfly
Damselflies are flying insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies (which constitute the other odonatan suborder, Epiprocta) but are usually smaller and have slimmer bodies. Most species fold the win ...
.
Gallery
COMMON SHUTWING.gif, Mating pair
The biology of dragonflies (Odonata or Paraneuroptera) (1917) (20382467935).jpg, Drawing of a male ''Cordulephya pygmaea'' by Robin Tillyard. Detail of wing base: B. (male), C. (female)
Cordulephya pygmaea female wings (34928000211).jpg, Female wings
Cordulephya pygmaea male wings (34928003441).jpg, Male wings
See also
*
List of Odonata species of Australia
This is a list of species of damselflies and dragonflies recorded in Australia.
Common names of species are linked, beside their scientific names.
The list is split into two groups: damselflies (suborder Zygoptera) and other dragonflies (infra ...
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2327092
Libelluloidea
Odonata of Australia
Endemic fauna of Australia
Taxa named by Edmond de Sélys Longchamps
Insects described in 1870
Dragonflies