Mayan Setwing
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Dythemis maya
Calvert, 1906
Order Odonata
Suborder Anisoptera
Superfamily Libelluloidea
Family Libellulidae
Genus Dythemis
Species maya Calvert, 1906 [Dythemis]
Identification
This is an uncommon brilliant red species only known from isolated localities throughout its range. Its face, thorax and abdomen are unmarked and all red, brilliantly so in males. Young individuals are brown. Both wings have a broad basal crossband
of deep amber for a quarter of more of their length. Females may have dark wingtips. The legs are brown with black tarsi. The abdomen is noticeably wider than in other setwing species.
Size
Total length: 37-41 mm; abdomen: 23-26 mm; hindwing: 30-33 mm.
Similar Species
This the only red setwing in the area, but it may be confused with other red skimmers that it flies with. Red Rock Skimmer (Paltothemis lineatipes
) is profusely marked with black on the thorax and abdomen and perches on rocks and on the ground. Neon (Libellula croceipennis
) and Flame (L. saturata
) Skimmers are larger and have more extensive color in the wings. Red-tailed Pennant (Brachymesia furcata
) lacks the broad amber patches in the hindwing and has thin black rings around each segment.
Habitat
Small arid streams with moderate to swift current.
Discussion
This species was first collected in the United States in Big Bend Ranch State Natural Area in Presidio County, Texas where it can be locally common. At that site it flies with a number of other similar red species, namely Flame and Neon Skimmers and Red Rock Skimmer. Differences in these species are given above. Mayan Setwing flies from midmorning well into the afternoon. Males patrol short territories of scarcely more than 10 m, with regular attentiveness. When not patrolling they perch on vegetation overhanging the stream.
Distribution
Southeast Arizona and West Texas (Big Bend
) south through Mexico.
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