Erythemis
Hagen, 1861
Pondhawks
Species Guides
6- Erythemis attala(Black Pondhawk)
- Erythemis collocata(Western pondhawk)
- Erythemis mithroides(Claret Pondhawk)
- Erythemis plebeja(Pin-tailed Pondhawk)
- Erythemis simplicicollis(Eastern Pondhawk)
- Erythemis vesiculosa(Great Pondhawk)
Erythemis is a of dragonflies in the Libellulidae, commonly known as pondhawks. These medium- to large-sized skimmers are recognized as voracious aerial that capture flying insects up to their own size, including other dragonflies. The genus includes such as the Eastern pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) and the Western pondhawk (Erythemis collocata).
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Erythemis: /ɛˈrɪθəmɪs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Distribution
Records indicate presence in Colombia (including Complejo Humedales Hato Corozal, Cienaga Zapatosa, and Ciénaga San Silvestre) and Ecuador (Reserva Ecológica Arenillas). Additional observations from North America include the Western pondhawk (Erythemis collocata) in California.
Diet
Voracious of other insects up to their own size, including other dragonflies. specialize in capturing flying prey.
Behavior
employ both active pursuit and sit-and-wait (ambush) strategies to capture prey. They have been observed hunting in agricultural and semi-natural settings such as lavender fields.
Similar Taxa
- SympetrumBoth are medium-sized skimmer dragonflies in Libellulidae; Sympetrum (meadowhawks) often perch with wings slightly forward rather than fully horizontal, and typically show more slender with distinct color patterns in mature males.
- PachydiplaxBoth are Libellulidae of similar size; Pachydiplax (blue dashers) have a distinctive pale blue coloration on the and in mature males, and a more robust facial structure.
- LeucorrhiniaBoth are predatory Libellulidae; Leucorrhinia are generally smaller, have more rounded wings, and often display distinct white or pale markings on the and not typical of Erythemis.
More Details
Predatory success
dragonflies in the suborder Anisoptera, which includes Erythemis, have been documented catching prey up to 97 percent of the time during active hunting attempts.
Visual system
Dragonflies possess nearly 360-degree vision with containing up to 30,000 each, providing exceptional sensitivity to detect small prey movements.