Ischnura senegalensis, also known as the common bluetail, marsh bluetail, ubiquitous bluetail, African bluetail, or Senegal golden dartlet, is a widespread damselfly in the Coenagrionidae family. It is one of the most commonly observed damselfly species throughout the Maldives, particularly abundant on islands with freshwater bodies and wetland areas.
Scientific Classification
- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Odonata
- Suborder: Zygoptera
- Family: Coenagrionidae
- Genus: Ischnura
- Species: I. senegalensis
Distribution in the Maldives
This species is found throughout the Maldives on many islands, including Noonu Lhohi, Fuvahmulah, and Hulhumalé. I captured this photograph in Hulhumalé Central Park.
Description
Ischnura senegalensis is a small damselfly with black-capped bluish-green eyes. Its thorax is black on the dorsum and greenish-blue on the sides. The abdomen is black dorsally up to segment 7, with segments 1 and 2 in greenish-blue, segments 3 to 7 khaki-yellow on the sides, and segments 8 and 9 azure blue, with segment 9 black on the dorsum. Segment 10 is black on the dorsum and khaki-yellow on the sides. The thorax and abdomen may turn blue in both males and females with age.
Sexual Dimorphism
Females of this species exhibit sexual mimicry. Some females mimic the male’s coloration (androchromes), while others display distinct female coloration (gynochromes). Androchrome females resemble males except in sexual characteristics, while gynochrome females have olive-green eyes with an orange hue above, mud-colored thoracic sides that pale upon maturity, and khaki-yellow lateral abdominal segments. Orange coloration on segments 1–2 and 8–10 fades with maturity.
Conservation Status
Globally classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, local populations in the Maldives face pressure from:
- Urban development
- Wetland reclamation
- Land-use changes
- Climate change impacts on freshwater habitats
References
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
