Platycnemis acutipennis


Platycnemis acutipennis, known as the orange featherleg or the orange white-legged damselfly, is a species of damselfly in the family Platycnemididae.

Description

Platycnemis acutipennis is the only European damselfly which combines an orange-red abdomen and blue eyes. The male has moderately wide hind tibias. The thorax is buff-coloured with black stripes. There is an orange spot near the tip of each wing. The sexes are similar.

Behaviour

Platycnemis acutipennis lives in fresh water, either still or up to moderately fast-flowing.

Distribution

Platycnemis acutipennis is common and widely distributed across the southwest of Europe including Portugal, Spain, and France; it is endemic to that area. There are however some recent records from Germany.