Description:
Much of the head, the top of thorax and nearly all of the abdomen is metallic black dorsally. The prothorax in the male has the posterior margin strongly elevated. Laterally the pterothorax is blue. Abdominal S8-10 are dark dorsally and blue laterally. S10 is mostly blue with black apically. The female is like the male but with abdominal S10 entirely blue.
Size: Total length: 24-28 mm; abdomen: 19-23 mm; hindwing: 13-15 mm.
Similar Species: This species is closely related to Everglades sprite from which it differs in the male sex by the distally abruptly extended apex of the terminal lobes of the penis, the broad and upright posterior margin of prothorax, and the mostly black coloured dorsum of segment 9. Also the apex of the ventral branch of the superior anal appendage is not visible in lateral view in Everglades sprite , but clearly discernible in Tropical sprite. The female of Everglades sprite differs from that of Tropical sprite chiefly by the highly modified distal border of prothorax.
Habitat: Shallow marshes with abundant sedge growth. Adult specimens at swampy stretches, the water level oscillated between 5 and 20 cm, but rarely exceeded 8 cm.
Natural History: Larvae, exuviae and tenerals were numerous at shallow marshes and in a flat pool. Tropical Sprite flies among the vegetation near the ground, avoiding open water.
Distribution: Mexico and Central America south to Surinam, the Antilles is also absent from the United States. All Florida specimens appear to belong to Everglades Sprite (N. pallidula).
Source:
De Marmels, J. 1984. The genus Nehalennia Selys, its species and their phylogenetic relationships (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae). Odonalologica 13 (4): 501-527
Edited by Juan Cruzado (03/05/2017)
