Citrine Forktail
Ischnura hastata
In the Azores, this species reproduces entirely through parthenogenesis (virgin birth), with populations consisting solely of females.
- Scientific name
- Ischnura hastata
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Odonata › Coenagrionidae › Ischnura
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Densely vegetated margins of ponds, marshes, fens, and slow-moving streams.
- Diet
- Small soft-bodied insects such as mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and aphids.
- Range
- North America, Central America, South America, Caribbean, Azores
- Size
- 20 to 27 mm in length, with a wingspan of approximately 30 mm.
- Lifespan
- 1 to 2 months as an adult; up to 1 year including the aquatic nymph stage.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss through wetland drainage, water pollution, and chemical pesticide runoff.
- Safe to approach?
- Completely harmless to humans. These fragile insects do not bite or sting. Observe them closely as they perch on shoreline vegetation; avoid touching them to prevent damage to their delicate wings.
The citrine forktail ( Ischnura hastata ) is a damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae.
Photo: rasamoto, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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