CR

Libellula angelina

Declining

Overview

Libellula angelina, also known as bekko tombo, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae, native to China and Japan. It is under threat by rapid loss of the ponds and other small water bodies it uses as habitat, and is currently classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.

Libellula angelina faces severe threats from habitat destruction as its specialized bog and fen wetland habitats are drained for agriculture and development. Climate change poses an additional critical threat, as rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns disrupt the delicate hydrology these dragonflies require for breeding. The species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions from pollution runoff and invasive plant species that alter wetland chemistry.

Threat summary

Habitat

Libellula angelina inhabits specialized bog and fen wetland ecosystems with specific water chemistry requirements. These dragonflies depend on pristine, acidic to neutral waters with abundant emergent vegetation for breeding and larval development.

Other threatened species in LIBELLULIDAE

EN

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Brachygonia ophelia

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Diplacina guentherpetersi

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Picea asperata

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Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Libellula angelina classified as Critically Endangered?
Libellula angelina is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Libellula angelina faces severe threats from habitat destruction as its specialized bog and fen wetland habitats are drained for agriculture and development. Climate change poses an additional critical threat, as rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns disrupt the delicate hydrology these dragonflies require for breeding. The species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions from pollution runoff and invasive plant species that alter wetland chemistry.
Where does Libellula angelina live?
Libellula angelina occurs in China, Japan, and South Korea. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Libellula angelina?
The main threats to Libellula angelina are 5.3, 8.1, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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