Red Damselflies - Telebasis salva

T. salva oviposition

No, the female is NOT ovipositing on the male. The male is uprigth accompanniyng the female during the process of laying eggs. He remains in physical contact (his abdomen) with the prothorax of the female. The female oviposit inside the tissues of the aquatic plant

… Enrique Gonzalez Soriano, 4 March, 2014 - 11:08am

Moved

to Desert Firetail images page.

Jason Forbes has informed me that in Travis county, it has to be T. salvum.

… Bobby Grizzard, 20 August, 2007 - 10:53pm

You're lucky to see this group!

I've only seen one solitary male, but thought it was remarkable - that red! I believe the male is gripping the female, the female will oviposit in algae mats and under floating sticks. I garnered that information from Kathy bigs website on California Odes. Desert firetail is the one member of this genus which is found in California.

… Arthur Scott Macmillan, 2 March, 2008 - 2:11pm

Desert Firetails

Check out Telebasis salva.

… Ben Coulter, 10 August, 2007 - 10:03pm

How about that!

looks like a great match. I'll move it if you're certain. This image depicts ovipositing and not mating, correct?

Also, do you think there's a chance this reddish naiad

I found right next to all the adults was the same species? I have an impression that immature damselfies all look the same.

… Bobby Grizzard, 10 August, 2007 - 10:13pm

well...

I'm certain about the genus. There is another species, the Duckweed Firetail, Telebasis byersi that is very similar. Maybe have a look at that one too.

As for the nymphs, within a given family, they're all superficially very similar, distinguished by fine details.

… Ben Coulter, 10 August, 2007 - 11:07pm

Well, these look much more li

Well, these look much more like the desert firetails in the guide than the duckweed firetails, but you seem to know much more about these guys. Do you think I should move it to the genus page, or the species? Also, should the naiad be moved to the family page, or the naiad page?

… Bobby Grizzard, 14 August, 2007 - 11:35pm

it's your call

if you feel confident that you can tell that they were Desert and not Duckweed Firetails, then sure, go ahead and move them to the species page. After all, you saw them. I have no experience with either species, and I can't tell from the shot. If you're not sure, we could see what Cliff or Nick or somebody else thinks.

… Ben Coulter, 14 August, 2007 - 11:54pm