Pacific Forktail
Ischnura cervula
This record describes Ischnura cervula (species). Recorded family: Coenagrionidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
abdomen blue only on segments 8 & 9 -- blue on top and bottom touch along sides. Four tiny blue dots on top of thorax. teneral: See California Dragonflies and Damselflies or Dennis Paulson Andromorphic females will have a blue 8th abdominal segment only, with no blue, or only blue spots, on 9th segment; males have 8th & 9th segments blue. teneral: Young female - orange: Pink bodied females with various amounts of blue: Blue on 8 with spots on 9: Blue on 8, none on 9: patchy blue on 8: Blue females: Mature females:
Wikipedia reference for Ischnura cervula: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischnura_cervula.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
- Suborder
- Zygoptera
- Family
- Coenagrionidae (Narrow-winged Damselflies)
- Genus
- Ischnura (Forktails)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Marshy edges of lakes, ponds, and slow streams
Geographic Range
Western half of the US
Seasonal Activity
April through October
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Probably a diminutive of Latin cervus- " (red) deer "
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Ischnura cervula. 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 Pacific Forktail (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Jason D. Roberts , Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Pacific Forktail
What is Pacific Forktail?
Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula) is a species in the family Coenagrionidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Pacific Forktail?
23-30 mm
How do you identify Pacific Forktail?
abdomen blue only on segments 8 & 9 -- blue on top and bottom touch along sides. Four tiny blue dots on top of thorax. teneral: See California Dragonflies and Damselflies or Dennis Paulson Andromorphic females will have a blue 8th abdominal segment only, with no blue, or only blue spots, on 9th segment; males have 8th & 9th segments blue. teneral: Young female - orange: Pink bodied females with various amounts of blue: Blue on 8 with spots on 9: Blue on 8, none on 9: patchy blue on 8: Blue females: Mature females:
Where is Pacific Forktail found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Marshy edges of lakes, ponds, and slow streams |
| Range | Western half of the US |
When is Pacific Forktail active?
Pacific Forktail: seasonal activity - April through October.