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Threadtails - Protoneuridae

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These damsels also known as "threadtails".  These small sized damselfies (30-35mm or 3-5" abdomen in length) with a very slender abdomen.  Males head and eyes black, red or orange.  Thorax with brightly colored stripes or patches in shades of yellow, orange, red or metallic green, alternating with black lines; the legs may also be brightly colored; wings very narrow and in many species somewhat short in relation to the abdomen.  The abdomen extremely thin and long in most, gradually thicker towards the end, usually black; the dorsum of initial segments may be the same bright color as the thorax or it may have a pale spot on penulimate segment.  Cerci very short and complex, with spines, wrinkles or pads.

Females are generally brownish or of a dull coloration.  Abdomen slightly shorter but noticeable thicker than in the males.  Cerci not very developed.

Protoneuridea can be observed around pools with floating debris in rivers and streams within primary and secondary forests, at low and middle elevations.  Other species in swamps and at the edges of marshy ponds within forests.  They can usually be found perched in the shade , on twigs or leaf tips near the water with their body horizontal and their abdomen slightly inclined downwards and the wings pressed against the abdomen.

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