Crimson Hawaiian Damselfly

Megalagrion leptodemas, commonly referred to as the crimson Hawaiian damselfly, is one of the rarest and most endangered Megalagrion species that is endemic to the island of Oahu in Hawaii. It is currently labeled as endangered by the ESA and critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. The general biology of crimson Hawaiian damselflies is similar to other narrow-winged damselflies.

Megalagrion leptodemas used to be found in the mountains of Ko’olau and Wai'anae but is now only found in four watersheds in the Ko’olau Mountains. The species is threatened by habitat loss and non-native species. They have limited habitat and small, scattered populations which can affect their future population stability.

Conservation efforts for this species should concentrate on both habitat management and control of invasive species.

This endemic Hawaiian damselfly inhabits pristine freshwater streams and associated riparian vegetation in native forest ecosystems. It requires clean, flowing water with specific temperature and oxygen conditions found only in undisturbed montane stream environments.