Meganeuropsis

Meganeuropsis

A while back we learned about Meganeura, a genus of gigantic Dragonflies that lived around 300 million years ago, back when the oxygen levels were higher and the earth could support insects of tremendous size.

So, it should not come as a shock that there were other huge Dragonflies out there, aside from Meganeura. Enter Meganeuropsis, a genus containing two species that rival the previously mentioned insects in size. (It's also important to note that the two genera occupied different areas. Meganerua in what is now Europe, and Meganeuropsis in the middle United States.)

The two known species are M. permiana and M. americana. They were uncovered in Kansas and Oklahoma respectively, back in 1937 and 1940. M. permiana  may be the largest insect ever, even bigger than the Meganeura species.

Unfortunately, it can be hard to tell just how large these insects were able to get, since the fossils had to have very specific conditions in order to stay preserved, and because the parts themselves were so delicate. In short, it is very rare to find these parts intact, so it can be difficult to determine overall size. The largest preserved wing so far  demonstrates a nearly 2.5ft wingspan (the fossil currently resides at Harvard).

---

Status : Extinct for 250 million years
Location : North America
Size : Length up to 17in (43cm), Wingspan up to 28in (71cm)

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Class : Insecta -- Order : †Meganisoptera
Family : Meganeuridae -- Genus : Meganeuropsis

Read More

Broad-bodied Chaser

The Broad-bodied Chaser is a very distinctive Dragonfly that is found in several locations across Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. They are typically found around areas of still water, and fly from April until September, though are most common from May to June.

Both the male and female Chasers have very flat, broad abdomens (hence the name). Both sexes have yellows spots running down the length of the abdomen, but the primary color differs. Males develop a pale blue pruinescence, while females have abdomens that are golden brown.

Libellula depressa (male)

Female

Males of the species are very territorial, and will fight other males that enter their airspace. If a female enters the territory, the male will often approach and grapple them, mating in mid-flight. The coupling is very brief, and afterwards the female will search for a suitable place to lay her eggs. She deposits them by flying over water with submerged vegetation, and dipping her abdomen in. It will take around a month for the eggs to hatch, and the young Dragonflies can live underwater as larvae for up to two years. Once they become adults, they often spend some times away from the water.

---

IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Europe and Asia
Size : Wingspan up to 7cm

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Class : Insecta -- Order : Odonata
Family : Libellulidae -- Genus : Libellula -- Species : L. depressa

Read More

Golden-ringed Dragonfly

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... Five Golden Rings!

Cordulegaster boltonii

Well, after four days of birds (don't worry, there are still a few more to go for you bird-lovers!) we finally have a whole different type of critter... though it still has wings.

Meet the Golden-ringed Dragonfly, the longest Dragonfly in the entire United Kingdom. The species is named for its black body and and the golden bands that pattern down its length. They can be found near streams and rivers of all sizes, and are abundant throughout Great Britain.

Female Golden-ringed Dragonflies are a tad bit larger than the males. This is due to the presence of an ovipositor at the ends of their abdomens. This is the organ used for laying eggs, which is a process done by flying over the river banks and jabbing the abdomen into the sediment. Eggs hatch in a few days and the Dragonfly larvae remain in the sediment for as long as 5 years! They undergo numerous molts before finally reaching their adult form, with metamorphosis typically taking place at night.

---

IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Great Britain
Size : Length up to 3in (8cm)

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Class : Insecta -- Order : Odonata
Family : Cordulegastridae -- Genus : Cordulegaster -- Species : C. boltonii

Read More