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One specie known to North America. Idiataphe cubensis, the
others are neotropical. These small emerald-like skimmers are metallic
black or brown in coloration similar to Emeralds but do not
develop green eyes. Their abdomen is slender, with bronzy brown lateral abdominal stripes.
Our specie Idiataphe cubensis is small, slender, metallic
black, with face, side of thorax and lateral abdomen striped
with bronzy brown. Wings are clear with a small brown spot
at the bag of the hindwing.
Females are similar in coloration to males, but have a
thicker abdomen.
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They are known to inhabit fresh or brackish ponds and lakes
where their fly low and erratically over the water making
patrols up and down, sometimes hovering. At other times they
can be observed flying tree top levels in swarms foraging
for good. When not flying, they are found perched
vertically on weeds, twigs or tall grass on surrounding
vegetation.
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