Uropetala carovei

Uropetala carovei (New Zealand bush giant dragonfly) is a giant dragonfly of the family Petaluridae, endemic to New Zealand. Its Māori name, kapokapowai (or kapowai)[2] means "water snatcher", alluding to the water dwelling juvenile stage (nymph), which, like all dragonflies, has a long extendable jaw that shoots out to snatch prey. It is also known as Carové's Giant Dragonfly. [3][4]

Uropetala carovei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Petaluridae
Genus: Uropetala
Species:
U. carovei
Binomial name
Uropetala carovei
(White, 1846)

Description
Dorsal view of Uropetala carovei

Its yellow and black body can be up to 95 millimetres (3.7 in) long, with a wingspan up to 130 millimetres (5.1 in), making it the largest dragonfly in New Zealand. Females are slightly larger than males. The bodies of both the female and male are dark brown, with pale spots on the abdomen and thorax. Males have petal-shaped appendages at the tip of the abdomen.[5] Uropetala carovei can be distinguished from the similar Uropetala chiltoni, which occurs in the mountains of the South Island, by its all-black labrum (lacking the large pale blotch on Uropetala chiltoni), and its brown to yellowish leg femur segments (which are black in Uropetala chiltoni).[6]

Taxonomy

Uropetala carovei was first described by Adam White (White and Doubleday 1846). The Natural History Museum, London holds the type material (Rowe 1987).[4][1]

Distribution and habitat

This species is found throughout New Zealand, mostly in western parts of each island, and especially on the West Coast.[7] They are found in damp areas of native forest.

Breeding

Breeding takes place on the banks of forest streams, or near springs. Males establish and aggressively defend territories during the breeding season. After copulation takes place, the female lays eggs on shaded banks of streams, and attaches eggs to clumps of moss, using her ovipositor.[5][8]

The larval stage (nymph or naiad) tunnels into the soft earth of a stream bank or seepage, where they occupy a chamber half-filled with water for about five years. They emerge at night to seek prey near the burrow entrance. They are sensitive to disturbance so are rarely observed.[7]

Uropetala carovei perching on vegetation

Prey and predators

Adults feed on smaller insects, including butterflies, cicadas and wasps which they can eat on the wing.[5]

The nymph stage of U. carovei is preyed on by weka and feral cats.[5] Adults are predated by rats, kingfishers.

Conservation status

As of 2018, the New Zealand Threat Classification System lists the status of Uropetala carovei as Not Threatened.[9] Its IUCN status is Least Concern.[1]

In Māori culture
Uropetala carved into the pare or lintel of a traditional Māori building.

The Ngāti Rongomai iwi of the Rotorua region have a special association with the kapokapowai through oral history that describes huge numbers of dragonflies coming to the aid of a leader Rakeiao, and helping him defeat enemies in battle by flying into the faces, eyes and noses of his opponents.[10]

References
  1. "Giant Bush Dragonfly". IUCN Redlist. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  2. "Kapokapowai". Te Aka Māori Dictionary. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  3. "Carové's Giant Dragonfly (Uropetala carovei)". iNaturalist NZ. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  4. "NZOR Name Details - Uropetala carovei (White, 1843)". New Zealand Organisms Register. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  5. Milen Marinov; Mike Ashbee (2019). Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Zealand (1, first ed.). Auckland: Auckland University Press. ISBN 978-1-86940-892-3. OL 28725690M. Wikidata Q116734647.
  6. Tillyard, R. J. (1921). "Description of a New Dragon-fly belonging to the Genus Uropetala Selys". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 53: 343–346. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  7. "Bush giant dragonfly". Landcare Research. Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  8. "Kapowai – Carové's Giant Dragonfly – New Zealand Bug of the Year 2023". Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  9. "Assessment details - Uropetala carovei". New Zealand Threat Classification System. 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  10. "Rakeaio and his dragonflies". Te Arawa Stories. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
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