33. D e s c r i p t i v e C at a l o g u e : F a m i l y genei

Photo: José María Canca Guerra

Length: From 37 to 50 mm. Hindwing spam: From 21 to 26 mm. Male: 1. The upper part of the eyes is greenish, while the lower is blue-grey. 2. Light green thorax with brown stripes. 3. Yellow abdomen with brown and black spots. 4. S8 and S9 are thicker. They have leaf-like expansions on the sides, and long appendages. 5. Dark pterostigma with the lighter centre. Female: It is similar to male in patterns and colours, but it has thicker abdomen (6); it has no leaf-like expansions on the sides (7); so the last segments do not stand out as much as in males. Anal appendages are short (8).

Photo: Gonzalo Astete Sánchez

118 • GR - 249 Great Málaga Path in Málaga and the Province D e s c r i p t i v e C at a l o g u e : F a m i l y GOMPHIDAE 33.

HABITAT

It can be seen in stagnant water or in the rivers and streams with low flow. It normally lives on a clear rocky land, with gravel and sand. It can also be seen in small reservoirs with sandy bottom in .

WAY OF LIFE It flies low and usually rests in dry vegetation which is close to the shore. However it occasionally goes away from it and rests in surrounding thickets. When at rest, its position is horizontal or slightly diagonal. They lift their abdomen or not, and their wings are leant a bit backwards, covering the thorax.

WHEN TO SEE THIS SPECIES They fly from June to August in the Province of Málaga.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

WHERE TO SEE THIS SPECIES This is one of the least common in Málaga. There are records of only three colonies, all of which are in the Sierra de Ronda. It was recorded only on one stage of the Great Málaga Path (27), which goes close to the above locations, more precisely, along the Genal River. It might exist along some other stages, above all, those which go along the rivers Turón (23) and Guadiaro (24, 25, and 26).

SIMILAR SPECIES It can only be confused with Onychogomphus costae.

CONSERVATION STATUS The species is not endangered nor particularly protected by the current environmental law.

GR - 249 Great Málaga Path in Málaga and the Province • DRAGONFLIES 119