Genus Perithemis - Amberwings

Classification · Numbers · Identification · Range · Life Cycle · Remarks · Print References · Works Cited

Eastern Amberwing - Perithemis tenera - female

Eastern Amberwing - Perithemis tenera - male

Oblisking Amberwing - Perithemis tenera - female

Flight Study, Eastern Amberwing - Perithemis tenera - male

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)

Suborder Anisoptera (Dragonflies)

Family Libellulidae (Skimmers)

Genus Perithemis (Amberwings)

Numbers

4 Nearctic species in the genus.

Identification

Very small in size. Males have amber wings. Stocky build. Often mistaken for wasps.

Range

Eastern Amberwing found in the Eastern 2/3rds of the United States; the other three species are found along the U.S.-Mexican border.

Life Cycle

Tiny flying insects.

Remarks

Amberwings have the most complex courtship rituals among all U.S. dragonflies.(1)

Print References

(1)

Works Cited

1.	Dragonflies Through Binoculars: A Field Guide to Dragonflies of North America By Sidney W. Dunkle

Contributed by Stephen Cresswell on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Last updated 18 October, 2004 - 7:00pm

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