Facilitating the protection and restoration of species and ecosystems at risk on BC’s South Coast

Length: males 3.2—3.5 cm, females 2.6—3.4 cm. Males and females are dimorphic in colour (males are larger). Both sexes of this species lack much in the way of markings or patterning. In mature males, the face, eyes, thorax and abdomen are shades of red to reddish brown; legs are yellow to reddish-brown. In females the face is light brown with brown and green eyes. The thorax is yellow to grey, the legs yellowish, and the abdomen brown. Females have a prominent v-shaped ovipositor (structure used to place eggs). Immature individuals tend to be yellow or similar to females, taking on deeper colouration according to sex as they mature. The pterostigma (coloured, thickened cell on the leading edge of each wing membrane near the tip), is reddish-brown.  In some regions (in the US), this species is known to change colour with cool weather, with the male’s red coloration shifting to orange, then brown with dropping temperatures. The 1.2-1.5 cm larvae (“nymphs”) are mottled green and brown in color with several large dorsal hooks along the abdomen. The last two abdominal segments have a single, large, rear-facing spine on each side.

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Status

Global Status: 
G5
Provincial Status: 
S3S4
BC List Status: 
Blue (Considered to be of Special Concern)

RESOURCES

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