Microstigma rotundatum

Microstigma rotundatum, the helicopter damselfly, is a species of damselfly belonging to the family Coenagrionidae.^[2]

Microstigma rotundatum
Microstigma rotundatum. Museum specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Suborder:	Zygoptera
Family:	Coenagrionidae
Genus:	Microstigma
Species:	M. rotundatum
Binomial name
Microstigma rotundatum Selys, 1860
Synonyms[1]
Microstigma exustum (Selys, 1860) Microstigma lunatum (Selys, 1860)

Description

These damselflies have a long, thin body and large wings with a dense venation. The apex of the forewings has large yellow flecks and the pseudostigma shows many cells.^[3][4]

Biology

These damselflies mainly prey on web-building spiders. Larvae develop in water-filled crevices of fallen trees and in phytotelmata, the bodies of water held by some plants (bromeliads).^[5]

Distribution and habitat

This species is present in South America (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Amazonas).^[3] It lives in tropical primary lowland forests.

Bibliography

• de Selys Longchamps, E. (1860) Synopsis des Agrionines. Première légion: Pseudostigma., Bulletin Academie royale Belgique Serie 2 10 (6): 9-27.
• Odonata: Catalogue of the Odonata of the World. Tol J. van.