Phaon iridipennis

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Protostomia
Cladus: Ecdysozoa
Cladus: Panarthropoda
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Classis: Insecta
Cladus: Dicondylia
Subclassis: Pterygota
Cladus: Metapterygota
Cladus: Odonatoptera
Cladus: Holodonata
Ordo: Odonata
Subordo: Zygoptera
Superfamilia: Calopterygoidea

Familia: Calopterygidae
Subfamilia: Calopteryginae
Genus: Phaon
Species: Phaon iridipennis

Phaon iridipennis, commonly known as the glistening demoiselle or glinsterjuffertjie, is a species of damselfly in the family Calopterygidae.

Description

This is a large (length: up to 75 mm (3.0 in), wingspan: up to 87 mm (3.4 in)) damselfly with long legs. The common name comes from its iridescent wings, which sparkle with purple-blue flecks in the sunlight. The wings become more smoky with age.[3] Pterostigmas may or may not be present, although it is unclear what drives this difference.[4] When present, they start off as light brown in colour and become darker with age.[5] The thorax and abdomen are a coppery green in both sexes, although females are duller and browner than the males.[3]
Distribution and Habitat

This species is common and widespread. It is found in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa; from South Africa to Ethiopia and Senegal, particularly in more tropical areas. [3][1] It also occurs on Madagascar.[3]

It is most common along rivers and streams with gallery forest, but also occurs in coastal, dune and swamp forests, as well as the forested edges of pans and marshes.[3][6] It is highly dependent on shade, and is rarely seen out in open sunlight.[3] It does, however, sometimes occur in more open areas within forests.[6]
Ecology

It has been recorded all year round in the warmer regions, but is most active from October to March with a peak during late November.[3] When at rest, the wings are held at a 45° angle and the abdomen is slightly raised. It is very cryptic when perched, but conspicuous in flight due to its iridescent wings and large size. When around water it perches low down on rocks and overhanging sticks. It is, however, frequently found far from water in forest undergrowth, particularly late in the season. They are normally found perched in dense, shady undergrowth, where they frequently perch on sticks and logs among the leaf litter. They usually occur within 2 metres (6.6 ft) of the ground. [3]
Conservation

This species is listed as being of least concern by the IUCN. It is fairly resilient to habitat change, including changing water turbidity. It can also tolerate at least some alien vegetation. [3]
References

Clausnitzer, V.; Dijkstra, K.-D.B.; Suhling, F. (2016). "Phaon iridipennis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T59983A75086374. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T59983A75086374.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
"Phaon". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
Loftie-Eaton, Megan; Hofmeyr, Sally; Tippett, Ryan; Underhill, Les (2020-04-20). "Glistening Demoiselle (Phaon iridipennis)". BDI. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
"Glistening Demoiselle - Phaon iridipennis - Identification tips". www.dragonflies-id.co.za. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
Willis, Christopher K. (2011). Water dancers of South Africa's National Botanical Gardens : an illustrated dragonfly and damselfly checklist (PDF). Michael J. Samways, South African National Biodiversity Institute. Pretoria, South Africa: SANBI. ISBN 978-1-919976-68-6. OCLC 774322435.
Dijkstra, K.-D.B. "Phaon iridipennis (Burmeister, 1839)". ADDO -- African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. Retrieved 16 November 2017.