Onychothemis culminicola (Förster, 1904)
Found in Asia: China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand
 
Sub-Order: ANISOPTERA Super-Family: LIBELLULOIDEA Family: LIBELLULIDAE

A female Onychothemis culminicola has prominent dorsal yellow stripe running across the thorax to segment 5. ( Male’s dorsal yellow stripe only running the length of thorax)

This is a teneral (newly emerged) female Onychothemis culminicola still in transparent color with internal intestines visible inside abdomen

Onychothemis species is remarkable for the very long and sparse spines on the tibiae of the legs.

Onychothemis species has large Occipital Triangle (Triangular area on the dorsal surface of the rear of the head between the eyes.)

(Gomphidae family does not have occipital triangle).

Onychothemis culminicola has a yellow strip on the upper frons. This is unique not seen in other species in the family.

On top of the frons and between the front of the compound eyes is the Vertex, a plate
bearing three simple eyes (ocelli).

Segment 9 and 10

Abdomen of a male Onychothemis culminicola. I first saw this species in Bukit Gemok Forest Reserve on 24 August 2007. Only this lonely male flying up and down the mountain stream.

Onychothemis culminicola is one of the 39 taxonomically isolated Species from the Oriental Region (groups of species found nowhere else outside the Oriental Region)

Based on recommendations of the IUCN/SSC, Odonata Specialist Group (Moore. 1997), these 39 dragonflies are considered to be priority species for further study and
conservation action.

Close up view of secondary genitalia (the accessory organ) on the second abdominal of a male Onychothemis culminicola. Sperm is moved from the first genitalia into here just before copulation.

Not much is known why male dragonflies have two sets of reproduction organs.

Last two segments (segment 9 and 10) of a male Onychothemis culminicola.
On segment 9 is the first genitalia. This is the opening for sperm.

On segment 10 (the tip) are a pair of superior appendages and a single inferior appendage (total 3 appendages. A damselfly has total 4)



 

Not much is known why male dragonflies have two sets of reproduction organs (first genitalia at segment 9 and secondary  genitalia (the  accessory organ) on the second abdominal.

The above pictures show the anal appendages at the abdomen tips
 
 
Damselflies have a pair of inferior appendages and a pair superior appendages, i.e.., totally four appendages.
 
Dragonflies have a pair of superior appendages and a single inferior one, totally three. Those specialized appendages are used to clasp the female for copulation.
 
In damselflies the male clasp the prothorax of the female.
 
In dragonflies the male clasp the female back of the head. Those appendages will only fit into the same species female. 

All insect males have their genital opening for sperm at the ninth abdominal segment.

 

Dragonflies/damselflies males have (beside the first genitalia) their secondary genitalia, which is the  accessory organ on the second abdominal.

INDEX : Dragonfly     September 17, 2007 01:58:48 PM