Triacanthagyna is a genus of dragonflies
in the family Aeshnidae. The species have large eyes and broad wings. The
females have three prominent spines under the last abdominal segment which
gives the genus its name. They are commonly known as Three-spined Darners.
The genus contains 9 species:
Triacanthagyna caribbea (Williamson, 1923) - Caribbean Darner
Triacanthagyna dentata (Geijskes, 1943)
Triacanthagyna ditzleri Williamson, 1923
Triacanthagyna nympha (Navas, 1933)
Triacanthagyna obscuripennis (Blanchard, 1847)
Triacanthagyna satyrus (Martin, 1909)
Triacanthagyna septima (Selys in Sagra, 1857) - Pale-green Darner
Triacanthagyna trifida (Rambur, 1842) - Phantom Darner
Triacanthagyna williamsoni (von Ellenrieder & Garrison, 2003)
Triacanthagyna trifida (Rambur, 1842)
is a species occurs in Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican, Haiti, Jamaica, the Lesser
Antilles, Puerto Rico and USA. Adults of T. trifida are found in woodland
and forest. Breeds in swamps, probably both permanent and temporary, also
in artificial ponds in woodland. Larvae found in water during rainy season,
adults probably spend dry season in dense forest waiting for next rains.
Probably only one generation per year.
Triacanthagyna trifida is smaller
than all the other late season darners, also flies mostly at dusk or on
cloudy days. Males and older females have blue eyes and blue highlights
near narrow "waist" and females have very long cerci (lower left), but
the often break off as at lower right.
T. trifida is a reasonably widespread
and locally common species throughout its range, including occurring within
protected areas, and there is no indication of any population decline.
It is thus accessed by IUCN Red List as Least Concern.
Reference:
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/165013/0
http://www.giffbeaton.com/darners.htm
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