Broad-striped Forceptail
Aphylla angustifolia
This record describes Aphylla angustifolia (species). Recorded family: Gomphidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Yellow bands on the sides of the thorax alternate between broad and narrow. Other similar species in its range (Aphylla, Phyllocycla, and Phyllogomphoides spp.) have all bands the same width.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Breeds in muddy-bottomed lakes, ponds, and pools; adults most often seen in brush or thornscrub away from water.
Geographic Range
Coastal Mississippi south through Texas and Mexico to Belize and Guatemala
Seasonal Activity
Summer and early fall
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Predators. Adults eat flying insects, larvae aquatic invertebrates and small vertebrates.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Aphylla angustifolia. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Odonata includes ~6,000 described species of dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects, reaching 36 mph (58 km/h). They can fly in any direction including backward, and hover in place - each wing operates independently.
Ecological role of the group
Dragonflies predate dinosaurs by nearly 100 million years - fossils date to 325 million years ago. The largest dragonfly ancestor, Meganeuropsis permiana (285 mya), had a 75cm wingspan, enabled by atmospheric oxygen levels of 31-35% compared to today's 21%. Dragonflies have a 95% hunting success rate - the highest of any predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Dragonflies are voracious predators that consume hundreds of mosquitoes daily, providing natural pest control worth millions in reduced mosquito-borne disease risk. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Recorded sources for this group: Natural History Museum London, Britannica, fossil record research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Broad-striped Forceptail (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua Stuart Rose
Frequently Asked Questions About Broad-striped Forceptail
What is Broad-striped Forceptail?
Broad-striped Forceptail (Aphylla angustifolia) is a species in the family Gomphidae, within the order Odonata.
How do you identify Broad-striped Forceptail?
Yellow bands on the sides of the thorax alternate between broad and narrow. Other similar species in its range (Aphylla, Phyllocycla, and Phyllogomphoides spp.) have all bands the same width.
Where is Broad-striped Forceptail found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Breeds in muddy-bottomed lakes, ponds, and pools; adults most often seen in brush or thornscrub away from water. |
| Range | Coastal Mississippi south through Texas and Mexico to Belize and Guatemala |
What does Broad-striped Forceptail eat?
The diet of the Broad-striped Forceptail includes Predators. Adults eat flying insects, larvae aquatic invertebrates and small vertebrates..
When is Broad-striped Forceptail active?
Broad-striped Forceptail: seasonal activity - Summer and early fall.