Diet

• Erythemis plebeja is a predatory dragonfly. Adults capture small flying insects, including flies and other small aerial insects, while the aquatic larvae prey on small aquatic organisms.

• The larvae are relatively inactive predators and occur among floating and submerged vegetation, where small invertebrates such as rotifers, protozoans and oligochaetes are available.

Range

• The Pin-tailed Pondhawk has a broad Neotropical distribution, extending from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America, across the Caribbean and much of South America to Argentina.

Habitat

• Erythemis plebeja is associated primarily with ponds, marshes, open wetlands, lake margins, canals and temporary pools. It can occupy both natural and human-modified wetlands.

• In coastal Chiapas it was associated with lowland aquatic environments transitioning from flowing-water to more stagnant conditions, and was considered an opportunistic species capable of occupying disturbed habitats.

• Around Zihuatanejo, suitable habitat includes vegetated ponds, seasonal pools, marshes, quiet water along streams and other wetlands within tropical dry forest and surrounding open areas.

Description

• Erythemis plebeja is a medium-sized pondhawk, with a body approximately 44–50 mm long and hind wings about 30–37 mm.

• Mature males are predominantly dark brown to black, with a noticeably slender abdomen. The basal abdominal segments are initially brownish, while segments 4–7 have pale brown rings; with maturity the abdomen becomes progressively darker.

• The hind wings have a small dark basal patch. Females and immature individuals are generally much paler, with brown eyes, a brown thorax and a beige to brown abdomen.