Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Beneficial Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Similar Insects
Icon about
Popular Insects
San francisco forktail

San francisco forktail

Ischnura gemina

A species of Forktails

Ischnura gemina is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae known by the common name San Francisco forktail. It is endemic to the San Francisco Bay Area in California in the United States. This uncommon insect has a total range of less than 500 square miles in the Bay Area, occurring only in greater San Francisco and parts of San Mateo and Marin Counties. This species is "one of the rarest Odonates in the United States."

General Info About San francisco forktail
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of San francisco forktail
Adult Food Sources
Flying insects - flies, mosquitoes, small moths, mayflies, other small flying insects, aphids
Larva Food Source
Aquatic invertebrates, mosquito larvae, other small aquatic organisms, small fish, tadpoles
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Life Cycle of San francisco forktail
Egg The egg of san francisco forktail is oblong, deposited in water or on aquatic vegetation. Lacking mobility or distinct features, its primary function is to provide a safe environment for the developing embryo.
Naiad Naiads of san francisco forktail are aquatic, resembling miniature adults without wings. With a voracious appetite, they undergo several molts, increasing in size and gradually developing adult features as they grow.
Adult Emerging from the final molt, the adult san francisco forktail sports fully formed wings and a slender, elongated body. They are now colorful, sexually mature, and are primarily focused on mating and laying eggs.
Rectangle
Predators of Adult San francisco forktail
Birds, spiders, frogs, toads, dragonflies, robber flies, praying mantises
Rectangle
Interesting Facts About San francisco forktail
The san francisco forktail can fly backward, a rare and intriguing ability among flying insects, demonstrating remarkable aerial agility.
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of San francisco forktail
Tips for Finding San francisco forktail
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of San francisco forktail
Freshwater Habitats
Rectangle
Adult Habitat of San francisco forktail
Freshwater Habitats, Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
Rectangle
How Can You Attract San francisco forktail
Since san francisco forktail are predatory, especially on small insects, using small live insects could be an effective way to attract them.
Rectangle
Habitat Preferences of San francisco forktail Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of san francisco forktail are typically laid in aquatic vegetation found in ponds or slow-moving streams. Upon hatching, the naiads are aquatic, usually residing in plant debris and preying on small aquatic organisms; they undergo several molts during this stage. For the search, explore these waters, carefully examining the submerged vegetation. After maturation, adult san francisco forktail emerge and are frequently observed around the edges of water bodies, such as the same ponds or streams where they developed as naiads. To find adults, focus on areas with abundant flying insects since san francisco forktail is predatory. They are often spotted resting on foliage or darting over the water surface, where they hunt and possibly mate.
Rectangle
When is the Best Time to Observe San francisco forktail
The best time to find adult san francisco forktail is typically on warm, sunny days when they are most active, generally between late morning and early afternoon.
Are San francisco forktail harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Beneficial Effects of San francisco forktail
Discover the hidden benefits of insects
Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
Download the App for Free
Predators of Pests
Predators of Pests
Stage
Adults, Naiads
Purpose
Feed Itself
San francisco forktail is an adept hunter, both in its aquatic naiad stage and as a flying adult. It skilfully snatches its prey mid-air or from the water surface. Interestingly, san francisco forktail is known for its selective diet, often preferring to consume mosquitoes, a trait beneficial to many ecosystems and humans alike. This precision hunting aids in controlling pest populations and thereby supports ecological balance.
Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow