Ditch Jewel

Fascinating facts about the Ditch Jewel

• Its genome is the smallest known among dragonflies, measuring just 15,056 base pairs. This circular genome is exceptionally compact, comprising only 15,056 bp, which is the lowest length recorded for any odonatan mitogenome. The diminutive size reflects its status as the smallest genome of its kind within the group. Such a compact genetic package is unusual for insects and highlights the species' unique genetic makeup.
• Brachythemis contaminata was the first member of the Libellulidae family to have its complete mitochondrial genome sequenced. This milestone provided the inaugural full mitochondrial map for a skimmer dragonfly. The data now enable researchers to explore the species' genetics in detail and to investigate its evolutionary relationships. Having a complete mitogenome opens new avenues for genetic and evolutionary studies.
• Male ditch jewels are distinguished by a broad bright orange band on each wing that runs from the base to just before the reddish pterostigma. The fascia extends within two to three cells of the pterostigma, creating a vivid contrast against the otherwise transparent wing. This orange marking is absent in females, whose wings lack the band and show only a faint yellow tint at the extreme base. The striking wing pattern aids in sex identification in the field.
• Female ditch jewels lack the vivid orange wing band that males display, showing only a faint yellow tint at the extreme base of their otherwise clear wings. The male's bright orange fascia runs from the wing base to just before the reddish pterostigma, extending within two to three cells of it. This colour difference makes it simple to tell the sexes apart in the field, as the female's wings remain largely transparent with only the subtle yellow hint.
• The ditch jewel thrives in sluggish, weed-filled waters, breeding in ponds, lakes and slowly moving streams where vegetation is abundant. It is especially prevalent in habitats such as sewage canals, tanks, ponds and ditches, where the water flow is gentle. These preferred environments provide the calm conditions needed for egg laying and larval development, explaining why the species is so commonly observed in such water bodies across its range.

Sources

Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.

• Wikipedia

At a glance

About the Ditch Jewel

As the sun casts its golden rays upon the serene waters, the Ditch Jewel, a dragonfly of unassuming elegance, dances across the surface with an air of effortless grace, its iridescent wings beating at a hypnotic pace. With each delicate flutter, it weaves a mesmerizing trail of light and shadow, a testament to the intricate beauty that thrives in the most unassuming of habitats. In its gentle, lapping flight, the Ditch Jewel embodies the very essence of its tranquil domain, a fleeting yet unforgettable glimpse of wonder.

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