Kingdom Animalia Family Libellulidae Genus Zygonyx Order Odonate | Class Insecta Phylum Arthropoda Rank Species | |
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Similar Zygonyx, Odonate, Copera marginipes, Palpopleura sexmaculata, Prodasineura | ||
The emerald cascader or iridescent stream glider (Zygonyx iris) is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is widespread in many Asian countries.
It breeds in the swift rocky streams. Larva are adapted to cling on rocks. Females lay eggs in first order streams during summer. Apparently, the larva migrates to second or third order streams during their late instars from where they emerge.
Males commonly found flying over brooks and streams. They tirelessly fly back and forth across a beat along a hill stream and rarely perch. Sometimes, pairs in tandem can be seen flying above torrents; the female dipping her abdomen periodically to lay eggs
Subspecies
A number of subspecies of Zygonyx iris have been described, but it is not clear if these merely represent extremes of geographical variation or genuine subspecies.