FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The eastern amberwing, Perithemis tenera, is the second smallest dragonfly with a length ranging between 0.8-0.9 in (2-2.2 cm). Geographically speaking, these dragonflies can be seen near slow-moving and quiet waters throughout the USA, east of the Great Plains, and in Mexico in the south. Entomologically speaking, they can be found in the family of skimmers, Libellulidae, and the order Odonata of dragonflies and damselflies. Their scientific name, Perithemis tenera, is a unique blend of Greek and Latin. 'Themis', part of their name refers to a Greek mythological figure, whereas 'tenera' refers to 'delicate', 'soft', and 'tender' in Latin. It also means 'youth'. This dragonfly is referred to as teneral for its adult life's initial days.
The eastern amberwing (Perithemis tenera), has a dazzling appearance. It possesses attractive wings that make its size seem bigger than it really is. A male eastern amberwing dragonfly has pure gold wings whereas a female possesses brown-colored wings or amber wings that are spotted. The female resembles the very small Halloween pennantin in appearance. Both males and females possess rings near their abdomen segments and yellow-colored legs. The abdomen of males as well as females is thick, with the female's abdomen seeming like it is swollen. These radiant dragonflies hunt for small insects, flying over fields with weeds or perched at an edge of woodland on vegetation. If you want to know more about the beautiful gold-winged eastern amberwing species, keep reading!
If you love reading these eastern amberwing fun facts, you must check out our green stink bug facts and ghost ant facts too!
The eastern amberwing is a tiny dragonfly that is a member of the family Libellulidae, and the order Odonata of dragonflies and damselflies. This dragonfly (eastern amberwing, Perithemis tenera) is a magnificent creature with gold or amber wings. It can be found typically near slow-moving and quiet waters throughout the USA, east of the Great Plains, and in Mexico in the south. They are also commonly known as low-flying amberwing insects.
The eastern amberwing belongs to the Insecta class.
The population of this magnificent species is yet to be evaluated. However, their range is extensive in the United States.
This dragonfly species inhabits slow-moving and quiet waters throughout the USA, east of the Great Plains, and is also found in Mexico in the south. This species of dragonflies is prevalent from Maine to Arizona, across the central and eastern United States. They are also very common in Wisconsin.
The eastern amberwing habitat is quite specific, with this dragonfly being very territorial over its territory. This intelligent species of dragonfly does not forget the location it inhabits. It is the place where it roosts, breeds, and hunts for food. These small creatures even memorize the paths in their territory. Males are loyal and are very attached to their territory, with the feeling heightened if it's a place they have bred. A male is not bothered about protecting any territory where he loses to his rival. The location for the female to lay eggs is considered an important one by the male and is defended by him during the daytime. If the territory of this male catches the eye of another male who is feistier, he might be able to evict him.
The eastern amberwing, Perithemis tenera, is a solitary insect. The male is highly territorial and only allows an eastern amberwing female to cross its territory to breed. They are extremely tiny in size, but are still fierce when it comes to guarding their territory which has a diameter of approximately 5 ft (152.4 cm) and possesses an egg-laying location in the middle.
An eastern amberwing, Perithemis tenera, lives for only a year.
Males of this species surely know how to court females. They have a detailed ritual to woo the female. The male is known to fly right over the water, (giving them their name, low flying amberwing), to keep an eye over the territory of his choice, his egg-laying area. This area is defended strenuously along with a display of his magnificent wings. When a female is nearby, he begins to court her by following her and moving back and forth with his abdomen raised. The female will follow him if she is impressed and the female will lay the eggs alone after mating. The tip of her abdomen releases a blob, that explodes when it gets dipped in water. This blob releases about 150 eggs.
This species is yet to be evaluated by the IUCN. However, it is widespread in the United States and does not suffer from any significant threats.
These small creatures have bright orange-colored wings that have veins all over them. Their abdominal segment possesses yellow and brown stripes that are similar to those on a wasp. They also resemble a wasp when they mimic their behavior by flicking their tail. However, unlike wasps, this species does not possess antennas. This species has very large, odd-looking, red eyes with red pterostigma (colored cells in its outer wings).
These dragonflies have a magnificent appearance mainly due to their wings. Their amber-colored wings look radiant glowing in the sun's rays.
These tiny creatures communicate with each other through their flight movements, mainly during the courtship period.
The length of this species ranges between 0.8-0.9 in (2-2.2 cm), similar to the average length of many Reduviidae insects.
The speed of this species has not been evaluated yet. However, they are known to fly really low, close to the surface of the water giving them their 'low flying amberwing' common name. Generally, the average speed of dragonflies is 9.9 mph (16 kph) with their top speed being 22–34 mph (35.4–54.7 kph).
The weight of these second smallest dragonflies is not known yet. We do know the average weight of dragonflies is 0.014 oz (0.3 g).
There is no particular name for males and females of this species of dragonflies.
Their babies are known as naiads or nymphs!
These creatures are insectivores by nature and feed upon small insects which they catch in flight. They are preyed upon by large birds like falcons and common kingfishers.
No, these small creatures are not dangerous to humans. However, they can bite as a self-defense mechanism.
Dragonflies are not appropriate as pets as they are wild insects.
Dragonflies can consume food that weighs as much as their own weight in half an hour!
They were named so because of their eastern range. However, this species continues to exist in the western part of the USA as well.
The wings of female amberwings possess brown colored spots on them whereas the wings of a male are entirely amber. Both the male and female have a red pterostigma (colored cells in outer wings).
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other arthropods from our damselfly interesting facts or stick bug facts for kids pages!
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable eastern amberwing coloring pages!
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.