Coral-fronted Threadtail
Neoneura aaroni
This record describes Neoneura aaroni (species). Recorded family: Protoneuridae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Male is blue-gray with brilliant coral-orange rectangles on its face and back. Female is very difficult to distinguish from those of other Neoneura species.
Wikipedia reference for Neoneura aaroni: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoneura_aaroni.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
- Suborder
- Zygoptera
- Family
- Protoneuridae (Threadtails)
- Genus
- Neoneura (Robust Threadtails)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Slow-moving rivers and streams with abundant emergent or floating vegetation
Geographic Range
The Central Texas Hill Country, the Lower Rio Grande, and south into Mexico, mainly Nuevo Leon.
Seasonal Activity
Late spring through fall in Texas
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Usually oviposits in tandem into driftwood and other floating debris
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Neoneura aaroni. 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 Coral-fronted Threadtail (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua Stuart Rose; Additional contributions by Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Coral-fronted Threadtail
What is Coral-fronted Threadtail?
Coral-fronted Threadtail (Neoneura aaroni) is a species in the family Protoneuridae, within the order Odonata.
How do you identify Coral-fronted Threadtail?
Male is blue-gray with brilliant coral-orange rectangles on its face and back. Female is very difficult to distinguish from those of other Neoneura species.
Where is Coral-fronted Threadtail found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Slow-moving rivers and streams with abundant emergent or floating vegetation |
| Range | The Central Texas Hill Country, the Lower Rio Grande, and south into Mexico, mainly Nuevo Leon. |
When is Coral-fronted Threadtail active?
Coral-fronted Threadtail: seasonal activity - Late spring through fall in Texas.
What is the life cycle of a Coral-fronted Threadtail?
Usually oviposits in tandem into driftwood and other floating debris