Home
SEE TRIPS
  • Top Destinations
PLAN MY VISIT →
  1. Home
  2. Flora & Fauna
  3. Bird

Helicopter Damselfly, Insect - Invertebrate

Helicopter Damselfly (Megaloprepus coerulatus) Spanish name: Gallito Azul, Libélula

Helicopter Damselfly, Insect - Invertebrate
Helicopter Damselfly, Insect - Invertebrate
Helicopter Damselfly, Insect - Invertebrate
Helicopter Damselfly, Insect - Invertebrate
Helicopter Damselfly, Insect - Invertebrate
←→
  • Sightings

  • Habitat
    The damselfly is often in the understory, but will also lift up into the canopy, notably if it is startled.

    Range
    This damselfly and others in its family can live between Mexico and Brazil. Some can live as high as 1,189 m in elevation, but this particular species tends to stay lower.

    Physical Description
    Damselflies are smaller than dragonflies and less robust. This is a long-bodied damselfly with long wings—the longest wings, in fact, within its order. Each of these long wings moves slowly and independently from the other wings, creating a mesmerizing effect as the damselfly lilts gracefully through the understory.

    Biology and Natural History
    While the helicopter damselfly is slower than some insects, it maneuvers with finesse. This delicate insect is aggressively predaceous throughout its life. As a nymph developing inside a bromeliad tank, the damselfly will consume other insects and even other nymphs of its own species. It grows to specialize on spiders as an adult, plucking them directly from webs. The damselfly’s mostly clear wings and slim figure are inconspicuous to the spider, and the damselfly can hover nearby without the spider reacting. In a swift move the damselfly rushes the spider, removes the fat abdomen from the web, reverses in flight and perches nearby to eat. It leaves the rest of the body in the web or falling to the ground.

    Diet
    As an adult, this damselfly preys predominately on spiders.

    Height/Weight
    The great wings of this insect can reach 19 cm.

    Taxonomy
    Order: Odonata
    Family: Pseudostigmatidae

    Sources
    Henderson, Carrol L. Field Guide to the Wildlife of Costa Rica. University of Texas Press, Austin, 2002.
    Hogue, Charles L. Latin American Insects and Entomology. University of California Press: Berkely and Los Angeles, 1993.
    Stout, J. in Janzen, Daniel H. Costa Rican Natural History. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1983.

    -Amy Strieter, Wildlife Writer

  • Similar Profiles

  • Arboreal Termites
    Green Page Moth
    Army Ant
    Walking Stick
    Cook
    Rhinoceros Beetle
    Golden Orb Weaver
    Scorpions
    Assassin Bugs and Kissing Bugs
    Spotted Longwing
    Glasswing Butterfly
    Blue Morpho
    Monarch Butterfly
    Leaf-Cutter Ant
    Tarantula
    Millipede
    Owl Butterfly
    Bullet Ant
    Excellent!
    Trustpilot Rating
    Based on 528 reviews
    Trustpilot
    Best way to travel!
    I trusted Harold from Anywhere.com to plan my family's vacation. Harold went above and beyond in making sure that our tr...
    Oct 04, 2021
    – Shivani P.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Profesionalism at its Best
    My experience with Anywhere.com in Costa Rica was perfection. All of the drivers were punctual and pleasant; and all of ...
    Aug 02, 2021
    – Natasha I.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Anywhere is OUTSTANDING!
    My family & I have used Anywhere to organize 3 vacations- Costa Rica, Peru, & now Ecuador. I would not hesitate to use t...
    Jul 29, 2021
    – Kara V.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Awesome vacation, everything went smoothly
    Our agent (Erick) planned a great trip for our family of 5. All the tours were excellent, all the transport and lodging ...
    Mar 17, 2020
    – David
    Trustpilot Rating
    Everything Anywhere said they would do…
    Everything Anywhere said they would do they did. Very professional and friendly staff.
    Mar 16, 2020
    – Darrell
    Trustpilot Rating
    We were very reassured in constructing…
    We were very reassured in constructing our trip using Anywhere.com as the team responded promptly to our questions in a ...
    Mar 16, 2020
    – Michael
    Trustpilot Rating
    Great service!
    Great service!
    Mar 15, 2020
    – Kyle K
    Trustpilot Rating
    If I could give 100+stars, I would.
    If I could give 100+stars, I would.
    Mar 15, 2020
    – Jerry Pos.
    Trustpilot Rating
    I gave Anywhere a 48hr turnaround time…
    I gave Anywhere a 48hr turnaround time before our departure to provide an itineary based on what we already researched a...
    Mar 14, 2020
    – Thomas hi.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Anywhere.com was so easy to work with
    Anywhere.com was so easy to work with. They made booking my transfers a pleasant experience. And I even had some last ...
    Mar 14, 2020
    – Ashley Ba.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Perfectly planned
    Perfectly planned. The trip went off with all (5) transfers on time and all our accommodations meeting or exceeding our...
    Mar 14, 2020
    – John C.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Great service and letting me know all…
    Great service and letting me know all the options.
    Mar 14, 2020
    – Sridhar R.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Anywhere.com provided the most AMAZING…
    Anywhere.com provided the most AMAZING trip. Our rides were always there and we didn't have to worry about anything. We ...
    Mar 13, 2020
    – Jennifer
    Trustpilot Rating
    Anywhere made the trip very easy
    Anywhere made the trip very easy. Everything was arranged for us and all we had to do was show up for whatever tour or t...
    Mar 13, 2020
    – CJ Follet.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Two Wonderful Trips!!
    My husband and I have taken two trips with Anywhere. We were thrilled with their services both times. There is such pers...
    Mar 13, 2020
    – FAITH HOF.
    Trustpilot Rating
    Costa Rica Vacations
    • Adventure
    • All-inclusive
    • Beach
    • Budget
    • Eco-tourism
    • Family
    • Group
    • Honeymoon
    • Luxury
    • Nature
    • Private
    • Rainforest
    • Romantic
    Highlights
    • Top Destinations
    • Beaches
    • Rainforests
    • Cloudforest
    • Volcanoes
    • Waterfalls
    • Surfing
    • Leisure
    • Off the Beaten Path
    • Airports
    Costa Rica Travel
    • Maps
    • Safety
    • Weather & Climate
    • Sustainability
    • Holiday Season
    • Currency
    • Driving & Car Rental
    • Getting Around
    PLACES TO GO
    • Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs
    • Monteverde Cloudforests
    • Manuel Antonio Beach & Jungle
    • Tamarindo Beach
    • Santa Theresa & Malpais Beaches
    • Puerto Viejo Beach
    • Nosara Beach
    • Jaco Beach
    • Tortuguero Rainforest
    • Corcovado Rainforest
    • Rincon de la Vieja Volcano & Waterfall
    • Nicoya Peninsula
    • Guanacaste Beaches
    • Osa Peninsula
    THINGS TO DO
    • Hot Springs
    • Zip Lines
    • Suspension Bridges
    • Horseback
    • Rappel
    • Wildlife
    • Hiking
    • Chocolate Farms
    • Whitewater Rafting
    • Coffee Farms
    • Butterfly Gardens
    • Surfing
    • Sport Fishing
    • Birdwatching
    • Scuba Diving
    • Catamaran Cruise
    • Indigenous Culture
    • Yoga
    • Wellness
    • Cave Exploration
    Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service
    Trustpilot "Excellent"
    Plan My Visit→+1 (888) 456-3212
    MessengerContact AnywhereWhatsapp ContactCall USA: +1-888-456-3212

    © 2022 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy