6-9-2023 ULLAL DE BALDOVI, ALBUFERA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

 Rithemis annulata is a robust medium-sized species with a wingspan of 60 mm (2.4 in). The mature male has a dark red head and a yellow labium with brown central spot. The eyes are red with white spots on the rear edge, and the frons is dark metallic purplish-red. The prothorax is violet with slightly darker longitudinal stripes. The membranous wings have distinctive red veins, the pterostigma is orange-brown and there is a large orange-brown splash at the base of the hind wings. The abdomen is fairly broad and is pinkish-violet, with purple markings on the top of each segment and blackish markings on the terminal three segments. Females are a similar size to males but the thorax is brownish and the abdomen is yellow with dark brown markings. The wings of females lack the red veins of males but have similar orange-brown patches. It is very similar in appearance to the red-veined dropwing (Trithemis arteriosa), but that species has a more slender abdomen and a wedge-shaped black area on either side of the tip of the abdomen.

4-9-2023 POTRIES, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

 Trithemis annulata, known commonly as the violet dropwing, violet-marked darter, purple-blushed darter or plum-coloured dropwing, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in most of Africa, in the Middle East, in the Arabian Peninsula and southern Europe. These insects are called dropwings because of their habit of immediately lowering their wings after landing on a perch. Males of this species are violet-red with red veins in the wings while females are yellow and brown. Both sexes have red eyes.

5-8-2023 ADOR CAMPO, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE)

Trithemis annulata is an adaptable species, and the adults are able to tolerate a range of habitats including semi-arid rangeland. They can be seen flying near sluggish rivers, in marshes and also beside still-water ponds. They are sometimes seen in brackish water habitats, although it is unclear whether they actually breed in salty water. The larvae develop rapidly, so these dragonflies are able to make use of temporary water bodies for breeding. Males are often to be seen perching on the twigs of waterside shrubs and on rocks in the sunshine, but in the evening or when the sun is obscured, they move into trees.

The female T. annulata is thought to deposit her eggs by flying over the surface and dipping the tip of her abdomen in the water. The larvae develop in water where they are aggressive predators. The adults are also predators, using their excellent eyesight to detect prey and their legs to hold and carry their victims.

 

31-7-2023 POTRIES, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

Trithemis annulata, known commonly as the violet dropwing, violet-marked darter, purple-blushed darter or plum-coloured dropwing, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in most of Africa, in the Middle East, in the Arabian Peninsula and southern Europe. These insects are called dropwings because of their habit of immediately lowering their wings after landing on a perch. Males of this species are violet-red with red veins in the wings while females are yellow and brown. Both sexes have red eyes.

19-12-2022 BRUFUT FOREST, GAMBIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/114463-Trithemis-annulata

21-12-2022 NAGALA LODGE, GAMBIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/114463-Trithemis-annulata

16-12-2022 CALYPSO BAR, GAMBIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/114463-Trithemis-annulata

1-10-2022 GANDIA SERPIS, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/114463-Trithemis-annulata

20-9-2022 ADOR CAMPO, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/114463-Trithemis-annulata

19-9-2022 POTRIES, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/114463-Trithemis-annulata

12-9-2022 POTRIES, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/114463-Trithemis-annulata

3-9-2022 SERPIS PARK, GANDIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/114463-Trithemis-annulata

22-6-2022 ALFARBI, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/114463-Trithemis-annulata

19-6-2022 RIO JUCAR, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/114463-Trithemis-annulata

29-9-2021 PORTAL DE SOLLANA, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/114463-Trithemis-annulata

28-9-2020 GANDIA MARJAL, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/114463-Trithemis-annulata

19-8-2020 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/114463-Trithemis-annulata

14-7-2019 PEGO MARJAL, ALICANTE - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trithemis_annulata

7-10-2018 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)

5-8-2018 VILLALONGA RESERVOIR, VALENCIA - VIOLET DROPWING DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Trithemis annulata)