Slough Amberwing
Perithemis domitia
This record describes Perithemis domitia (species). Recorded family: Libellulidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Distinguished from the much more common and widespread Eastern Amberwing ( P. tenera ) by the dorsal abdominal pattern, where the dashes on each segment line up to form a straight dashed line (rather than the chevrons or triangles of P. tenera ), see this image: Mexican Amberwing ( P. intensa ) lacks stripes on either thorax or abdomen. Much more prone to occur in shady habitat than in the sun; Eastern Amberwing has the opposite tendency
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
- Suborder
- Anisoptera
- Family
- Libellulidae (Skimmers)
- Genus
- Perithemis (Amberwings)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Still water, usually with abundant shade.
Geographic Range
Ecuador and Brazil north through Mexico to extreme southern Texas and Arizona.
Seasonal Activity
Summer and early fall
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults eat flying insects, larvae aquatic invertebrates
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Perithemis domitia. 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 Slough Amberwing (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joshua Stuart Rose; Additional contributions by cotinis , Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Slough Amberwing
What is Slough Amberwing?
Slough Amberwing (Perithemis domitia) is a species in the family Libellulidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Slough Amberwing?
21-25 mm
How do you identify Slough Amberwing?
Distinguished from the much more common and widespread Eastern Amberwing ( P. tenera ) by the dorsal abdominal pattern, where the dashes on each segment line up to form a straight dashed line (rather than the chevrons or triangles of P. tenera ), see this image: Mexican Amberwing ( P. intensa ) lacks stripes on either thorax or abdomen.
Where is Slough Amberwing found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Still water, usually with abundant shade. |
| Range | Ecuador and Brazil north through Mexico to extreme southern Texas and Arizona. |
What does Slough Amberwing eat?
The diet of the Slough Amberwing includes Adults eat flying insects, larvae aquatic invertebrates.
When is Slough Amberwing active?
Slough Amberwing: seasonal activity - Summer and early fall.