Tramea loewii | |
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Male in Darwin, Australia | |
Female | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Odonata |
Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
Family: | Libellulidae |
Genus: | Tramea |
Species: | T. loewii
|
Binomial name | |
Tramea loewii | |
Synonyms | |
Tramea tillyardi (Lieftinck, 1942) |
Tramea loewii, the common glider, [3] is a species of dragonfly in the Libellulidae family. [4] [5] It is found in the Cocos Islands, Moluccas, Lesser Sunda Islands, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Australia, and the western Pacific. Since 2005, Tramea loewii has also been recorded in New Zealand. [3]
Tramea loewii is a medium to large dragonfly (wingspan 85 mm, length 45 mm). Its synthorax is striped yellowish to brown on a purplish background. Males have a red abdomen, and the last two segments have black markings. Females are a dull brown colour. Dark patches at the base of their hindwings are a characteristic feature of this species; males have red patches and females have brown. Tramea loewii is very similar to Tramea stenoloba which has a darker synthorax, and larger genital dimensions. [3]
Tramea loewii inhabits a wide range of still waters, ponds and swamps, and may breed many times in a year. In Australia it is widespread except for the far south-west of the continent. [3]