Neoneura amelia

Calvert, 1903

Amelia's Threadtail

Neoneura amelia, commonly known as Amelia's threadtail, is a small distributed from southern Texas through Central America to Panama. Males display striking scarlet and reddish-orange coloration, while females are drab tan with dark markings. The species inhabits backwaters of large rivers, stream edges, and pond margins, including muddy locations. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its wide range and stable .

Neoneura amelia by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Neoneura amelia: //ˌniːoʊˈnjʊrə əˈmiːliə//

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Identification

Males distinguished by combination of scarlet , thin black thoracic stripe, and reddish-orange abdominal segments. Females may be confused with other small threadtail but can be identified by pale tan base color with discrete black head/ markings and dark abdominal rings; association with males aids identification. Small size and preference (large water bodies away from shore) help separate from similar Neoneura .

Images

Habitat

Backwaters of large rivers and streams; edges of large ponds including muddy margins. Found in wet tropical and subtropical forests, dry forests, and grasslands.

Distribution

Southern Texas (USA) south through Mexico (ten states), Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Rica, to Panama.

Seasonality

In Texas, active from April to December; -laying peaks midday.

Behavior

Males hover over water surface well away from shore; sometimes perch concealed in shrubby overhanging vegetation. Females rarely observed except with males. Tandem pairs oviposit on floating wood debris or submerged plant stems, often aggregating with other threadtails and dancer at same locations.

Similar Taxa

Neoneura aaroniOverlapping range in Central America; N. amelia males distinguished by scarlet (not orange-red) and thoracic coloration and specific abdominal patterning.
Other Protoneuridae threadtailsShared characteristics of slender and small size; N. amelia distinguished by male color pattern and preference for large water bodies.

More Details

Family Classification

Sources vary in assignment: treated as Protoneuridae in iNaturalist and Catalogue of Life, but as Coenagrionidae in GBIF and NCBI. Protoneuridae is the currently accepted family in modern odonate .

Conservation Status

IUCN assessed as Least Concern; no specific threats identified despite degradation pressures in parts of range.