The Halloween pennant (Celithemis eponina) is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is native to eastern North America, as well as the West Indies.
| Halloween pennant | |
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| Male | |
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| Female | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
| Family: | Libellulidae |
| Genus: | Celithemis |
| Species: | C. eponina
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| Binomial name | |
| Celithemis eponina (Drury, 1773)
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Description
editThe Halloween pennant's wings are entirely orange-yellow in color with dark brown bands, the Halloween inspiration for its common name.[3] Dragonflies of its genus perch at the tips of plants, waving in the breeze like pennants.[4] The young has yellow markings, including a stripe on its back. The adult male and female may develop pale red markings, especially on the face. This species is about 38 to 42 millimetres long. It is orange.[5][6][7]
Distribution and habitat
editThis species occurs in eastern North America. In the southern part of its range of The Bahamas and Cuba, it is in season all year round. In northern latitudes it can be seen from mid-June to mid-August.[5][7] It ranges as far north as southern Canada and as far west as the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, in New Mexico and Colorado. It lives in wet habitat types such as ponds, marshes and lakes, where it perches on vegetation.[6][8]
Biology
editThe female lays eggs in the morning on open water with the male still attached at the head. This method is known as exophytic egg laying.[6][9] Sexual activity normally occurs between 8:00 and 10:30 am.[7] Males rest on vegetation to await the females' arrival.[5] They usually rest upon the leaves of the American Holly Bush which help to stimulate arousal encouraging the males to develop erections.[citation needed] This species is not territorial.[10]
The Halloween pennant enjoys perching on top of taller plants, and if they find the plant adequate, they will most commonly return many times.[11]
The Halloween pennant feeds on other insects.[5] It is able to fly in rain and strong wind.[6] On hot days, it will often shade its thorax using its wings.[7]
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Mating wheel: female left, male right
References
edit
- ^ Paulson, D.R. 2018. Celithemis eponina. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T51273021A65836504. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T51273021A65836504.en. Accessed on 16 July 2023.
- ^ "Celithemis eponina. NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- ^ Taber, S. W. (2005). Invertebrates of Central Texas Wetlands. Texas Tech University Press. p. 56. ISBN 0-89672-550-2. Retrieved 31 October 2008.
The common name is a good one, for the wings are entirely orange-yellow with the exception of the bands, which are dark brown rather than black.
- ^ Eaton, E. R. (2007). Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. HMCo Field Guides. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-618-15310-7. Retrieved 31 October 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Species Celithemis eponina - Halloween Pennant". BugGuide. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ a b c d Taber, S. W. (2005). Invertebrates of Central Texas Wetlands. Texas Tech University Press. p. 56. ISBN 0-89672-550-2.
- ^ a b c d Dunkle, S. W. (2000). Dragonflies Through Binoculars. Oxford University Press US. p. 233. ISBN 0-19-511268-7.
- ^ Eaton, Eric R. (2007). Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. HMCo Field Guides. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-618-15310-7.
- ^ Lawlor, Elizabeth P. (2000). Discover Nature in Water & Wetlands. Stackpole Books. p. 87. ISBN 0-8117-2731-9.
- ^ Bried, J.T.; Ervin, G.N. (2006). "Abundance patterns of dragonflies along a wetland buffer". Wetlands. 26 (3): 878–883. doi:10.1672/0277-5212(2006)26[878:APODAA]2.0.CO;2.
- ^ Marshall, Stephen A. (2006). Insects: their natural history and diversity; with a photographic guide to insects of eastern North America. A Firefly book (2. printing ed.). Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. ISBN 978-1-55297-900-6.