This Solnhofen dragonfly is an exceptionally beautiful and detailed specimen of the species Cymatophlebia longialata. It is remarkable that the wing venation is completely preserved. Parts of it even retain some coloration. Under UV light the wing venation becomes especially vivid. Barlow et al. is a more recent study that deals with the detection of organic substances from the Solnhofen limestones using UV light. However, the study does not mention insects. The effect seen here is interesting because the UV photograph was originally intended only to show the glue and restoration work on this fossil more clearly.
Another notable detail is the preserved secondary sexual organ of this Cymatophlebia. The specimen is male. Dragonflies have a complex mating behavior. Since the two genital organs are not connected, the male must transfer the sperm from the primary to the secondary organ before mating.
During copulation the male holds the female with its claspers near the head. The female bends its abdomen forward to connect its genital opening with the male’s secondary sexual organ. This creates the typical mating wheel. It is well observed in modern dragonflies and is probably preserved in at least one fossil example.
The dragonfly has a wingspan of about 142 millimeters. The tips of the two right wings extended into a fissure and were restored.
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