New Zealand’s most common native damselfly, the redcoat damselfly (Xanthocnemis zealandica) gets its common name from the bold, vibrant red colouring of the mature male's body, which resembles a bright red coat—historically evocative of the red military coats worn by British soldiers. It is also known locally by its Māori name kihitara. Males are a striking red with black markings, but females vary from bright red to deep yellow, orange-red, or black with yellow stripes.
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