Diet

• Erythrodiplax funerea is a predatory dragonfly. Adults capture small flying insects, while the aquatic larvae prey on small aquatic invertebrates and insect larvae.

• Males are active territorial hunters, making short flights from low perches to intercept insects and defend areas around breeding water.

Range

• The Black-winged Dragonlet ranges from northern Mexico south through Central America to Ecuador, with occasional records farther north in the United States.

• It is well documented in western and southern Mexico, including Guerrero. Museum specimens include records from Acapulco, Guerrero, and from Colima and Jalisco.

• Erythrodiplax funerea is therefore an appropriate species for the Zihuatanejo area. It has also been recorded locally in coastal Guerrero.

Habitat

• It favours marshy creeks, streams and ponds, particularly where low vegetation grows along the water's edge. Adults commonly perch low on vegetation surrounding ponds or on stems overhanging the water.

• The species is especially associated with tropical and subtropical lowlands. In Central America it occurs around vegetated lagoons and wetlands in forest and pasture landscapes.

• Around Zihuatanejo, suitable habitat includes seasonal streams, ponds, marshes, lagoons and quiet pools bordered by tropical dry forest, scrub or open vegetation.

Description

• Erythrodiplax funerea is a medium-sized dragonfly with a slender abdomen. Mature males are dark grey to black, while females are generally brownish.

• The most distinctive feature is the extensive dark brown to black wing coloration, extending from the wing bases to approximately halfway between the nodus and stigma.

• Young males and some females can be considerably lighter, making them resemble other Erythrodiplax until they mature. Older individuals become progressively darker.

• Males commonly perch with the wings somewhat depressed and vigorously defend small territories around ponds and streams.