The Halloween pennant's characteristics vary depending on the sex and age of the dragonfly. The larvae (also known as a nymph or naiad) can grow from 5 to 6 cm in length and are yellow to green. Their rectal chamber contains gills and can be used to jet them through the water. Before they emerge as adults, the larvae develop compound eyes and tissue from the labium is withdrawn. As the dragonfly matures, the cuticle becomes thicker and the males develop their bright colors such as reds, yellows, and browns. The males also develop red rectangular spots on the front edge of each wing. They can also grow to 35 to 42 mm. The females are yellow.
The anatomy of both sexes of Celithemis eponina is similar. Like all insects, the Halloween pennant is divided into three sections: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. Their head is movable and contains biting mouthparts, antennae, and very large eyes. These eyes meet in the midline at either one or two points and occupy the greater part of the head. The antennae are quite short and small, containing few sense organs. They play a limited role in sensory life. The thorax has weak legs and four wings. These wings are not attached and operate independently. When the dragonfly is at rest, the wings lie at ninety degrees to the body. The six legs are covered with spurs and are used to grasp items. They are rarely used for walking. In flight, the legs are rested against the body to protect them from wind. The abdomen is long and flattened. The whole body (minus the legs) is devoid of hair and quite colorful.
Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes colored or patterned differently
Halloween pennant larvae live in many habitats, the most common being aquatic. They have been known to inhabit lakes, ponds, bogs, marshes, rivers, streams, and waterfalls. They can also live in some terrestrial spots such as tree holes and bromeliad leaf-bases.
The adults leave the water and live elsewhere until they are ready to mate. They then return to the water of their youth.
Habitat Regions: freshwater
Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams; temporary pools
Wetlands: marsh ; swamp ; bog
Some interesting facts on Celithemis eponina and dragonflies in general:
This species is secure and currently not of any conservation concern.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
Eggs are laid in the water by the female. The larvae emerge from these eggs and are aquatic. The larval stage can be anywhere from a few days to a few years. During their final stage as a larvae, they climb out of the water by a stone, plant stalk, or algae. They then split open their larval skin and crawl out as an adult stage. There is no pupal stage.
There is no negative affect for humans.
Celithemis eponina positively benefits humans by helping to control the mosquito population.
Positive Impacts: controls pest population
The food habits of Celithemis eponina depend on the life stage. Adults eat flying insects such as mosquitoes, flies, and gnats. They will occasionally eat other dragonflies, hunting mainly during the day. All adult Halloween pennants catch their prey during flight.
The naiad eats aquatic insects such as mosquitos or other odonate larvae. The larger naiads may even eat fish. They may also eat oligochaete worms, gastropods, crustaceans, and tadpoles. They are seldom cannibals. They hunt in a different manner than their adult counterparts. They wait slowly and stalk their prey. Their foward protruding eyes overlap allowing for very good judgement of the distance of their prey. The larvae face contains a prehensile mask with a specially modified labium. They also have large sharp pincers which grasp the prey when the mask is unfolded. This all happens at incredibly high speeds.
Animal Foods: insects; mollusks; aquatic or marine worms; aquatic crustaceans
Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore , Eats non-insect arthropods, Molluscivore , Vermivore)
Celithemis eponia inhabits the borders of ponds within the Americas. They specifically range from Ontario, Canada and Massachusetts to Florida. They also go as far west as Texas and up north to Nebraska.
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
The reproduction of the Halloween pennant takes place largely while in flight. The male reproductive organs are well suited for this. The posterior end of the tenth abdominal segment has two superior appendages. Just above the anus is one inferior appendage. These are not used for sperm transfer but for attaching and holding on to the female while in flight. That organ is located on the ventral side of the abdomen next to paired pockets that serve as seminal vesicles. The females lack the inferior appendages because they only have to worry about being fertilized.
The courtship is a extensive set of steps. The female is enticed into the male's habitat by a flight pattern. They then begin the mating process. The male bends his abdomen ventrally to allow the seminal vesicles to collect sperm. The male then files down and grasps the head of the female with his appendages. This is a lock-and-key mechanism. The attached partners form a mating chain with the male in front and the female in back. The female bends her abdomen to reach the male's abdomen. This is when the mating chain becomes the mating wheel. After this, the male and female reproductive organs seperate but the actual dragonflies stay interlocked. The female is now ready to lay her eggs.
The female lays her eggs in dead vegetation in the water. She descends into the water, with the male still attached, and breathes via a protective coat of air which is trapped by the fine hairs on both groups of legs.
The larvae emerge from these eggs and are aquatic. The larval stage can be anywhere from a few days to a few years. During their final stage as a larvae, they climb out of the water by a stone, plant stalk, or algae. They then split open their larval skin and crawl out. They are now an adult. There is no pupal stage. A maiden flight soon follows. The adult pennant then leaves the water for a couple of weeks and returns sexually mature and able to mate.
Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); oviparous
The Halloween pennant (Celithemis eponina) is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is native to eastern North America, including Ontario in Canada and the United States as far west as Colorado.[1]
The Halloween pennant has been described as looking very similar to a butterfly. Its wings are entirely orange-yellow in color with dark brown bands, the Halloween inspiration for its common name.[2] Dragonflies of its genus perch at the tips of plants, waving in the breeze like pennants.[3] The young has yellow markings, including a stripe on its back. The adult male and female may develop pale red markings, especially on the face. This species is about 38 to 42 millimetres long. It is orange.[4][5][6]
This species occurs in eastern North America. In the southern part of its range it is in season all year round. In northern latitudes it can be seen from mid-June to mid-August.[4][6] It ranges as far north as southern Canada and as far west as the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. It lives in wet habitat types such as ponds, marshes and lakes, where it perches on vegetation.[5][7]
The female lays eggs in the morning on open water with the male still attached at the head. This method is known as exophytic egg laying.[5][8] Sexual activity normally occurs between 8:00 and 10:30 am.[6] Males rest on vegetation to await the females' arrival.[4] This species is not territorial.[9]
The Halloween pennant feeds on other insects.[4] It is able to fly in rain and strong wind.[5] On hot days, it will often shade its thorax using its wings.[6]
The Halloween pennant (Celithemis eponina) is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is native to eastern North America, including Ontario in Canada and the United States as far west as Colorado.
La Célithème géante (Celithemis eponina) fait partie de la famille des Libellulidae. Facilement reconnaissable, cette célithème est la plus large de son genre. Elle est présente sur l'ensemble de la côte est jusqu'au centre des États-Unis. Au Canada, elle est mentionnée dans les provinces de l'Ontario et du Québec. Elle est également présente au Mexique et dans les Antilles (Cuba) [1].
L'adulte mesure entre 36 et 42 mm. Les ailes antérieures et postérieures sont de couleur ambrée avec une série de taches brune. Le stigma est de couleur rouge. Chez le mâle mature, l'abdomen est brun avec des taches orange en continu. Chez la femelle et les immatures des deux sexes, l'abdomen est également brun mais avec des taches jaunes en continu et le stigma est de couleur jaune [2].
On retrouve Celithemis eponina dans les étangs, mare et marais [3]. Il est aussi fréquent de l'observer dans les milieux ouverts herbeux à proximité des plans d'eau[1].
La Célithème géante (Celithemis eponina) fait partie de la famille des Libellulidae. Facilement reconnaissable, cette célithème est la plus large de son genre. Elle est présente sur l'ensemble de la côte est jusqu'au centre des États-Unis. Au Canada, elle est mentionnée dans les provinces de l'Ontario et du Québec. Elle est également présente au Mexique et dans les Antilles (Cuba) .
Celithemis eponina is een libellensoort uit de familie van de korenbouten (Libellulidae), onderorde echte libellen (Anisoptera).[1]
De wetenschappelijke naam Celithemis eponina is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1773 door Drury.
Bronnen, noten en/of referentiesCelithemis eponina – gatunek ważki z rodzaju Celithemis należącego do rodziny ważkowatych. Występuje na terenie Ameryki Środkowej, Ameryki Północnej i Karaibów.
Celithemis eponina – gatunek ważki z rodzaju Celithemis należącego do rodziny ważkowatych. Występuje na terenie Ameryki Środkowej, Ameryki Północnej i Karaibów.
Celithemis eponina là loài chuồn chuồn trong họ Libellulidae. Loài này được Drury mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1773.[1]
Celithemis eponina là loài chuồn chuồn trong họ Libellulidae. Loài này được Drury mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1773.