Orange-striped Threadtail
Protoneura cara
This record describes Protoneura cara (species). Recorded family: Protoneuridae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Eyes red-orange on the upper half; face bright orange with a black central spot; top of head black; thorax is black with a metallic lustre, with a thin dorsal stripe and shoulder stripe, both orange, and a lower lateral pale stripe; S2 with orange upper surface, the rest of the segments dark with pale rings. Female similar but with duller coloration
Wikipedia reference for Protoneura cara: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protoneura_cara.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
- Suborder
- Zygoptera
- Family
- Protoneuridae (Threadtails)
- Genus
- Protoneura
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Well-shaded, slow moving streams. Seem to prefer those with lots of debris.
Geographic Range
Central Texas, south Texas, south to Colima, Mexico Odonata Central map
Seasonal Activity
May-early October in Texas
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Protoneura cara. 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 Orange-striped Threadtail (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Tyler Hedlund
Frequently Asked Questions About Orange-striped Threadtail
What is Orange-striped Threadtail?
Orange-striped Threadtail (Protoneura cara) is a species in the family Protoneuridae, within the order Odonata.
How do you identify Orange-striped Threadtail?
Eyes red-orange on the upper half; face bright orange with a black central spot; top of head black; thorax is black with a metallic lustre, with a thin dorsal stripe and shoulder stripe, both orange, and a lower lateral pale stripe; S2 with orange upper surface, the rest of the segments dark with pale rings. Female similar but with duller coloration
Where is Orange-striped Threadtail found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Well-shaded, slow moving streams. Seem to prefer those with lots of debris. |
| Range | Central Texas, south Texas, south to Colima, Mexico Odonata Central map |
When is Orange-striped Threadtail active?
Orange-striped Threadtail: seasonal activity - May-early October in Texas.