| Palaemnema is the only genus of platystictids in Costa Rica. About a dozen species occur here, several of which are not yet named. These delicate, slender-bodied damselflies have a similar appearance to some coenagrionids. Shadow damsels live in forested areas along running water ranging from tiny trickles to fast, moderate-sized rivers. They perch quietly with folded wings on dead twigs and plant stems a few centimeters above ground in forest understory within 5-30 m of a stream. When flushed they usually fly upward and perch again a meter or two above ground. The abdomens of the males are elongate and they curl them in a snake-like way when handled. The male appendages are useful for distinguishing species. The females are generally similar and difficult to identify, but color patterns and the shapes of the hind lobe of the prothorax, ovipositor and stigma are useful for separating them. The pale cream-yellow markings of young adults change to blue or green with age. |
