Stenocypha tenuis (Longfield, 1936)
Slender Jewel

Synonyms:

  • scientific: Chlorocypha tenuis; C. basilewskyi Fraser, 1955; C. jacksoni Pinhey, 1952 ssp. basilewskyi

Type locality: Kibale Forest, Toro District, Uganda

Diagnosis

Male is similar to S. hasta by (a) head with scattered yellowish spots, including bar on occiput; (b) markings of thorax broken up into more or less parallel stripes and blotches; (c) 3-5 cross-veins between R2 and R3 before origin of IR2; (d) at least hind tibiae usually white anteriorly; (e) S2 without lateral black lines or these abbreviated before apex; (f) red confined to dorsum of S3-10, venter black; (g) paraprocts black, about ½ as long as cerci. However, difers by (1) occurring from Burundi to Kenya; (2) at least hind tibiae anteriorly white, rather than all black; (3) S2 often without rather than with lateral black lines. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Streams in open areas in forest, but sometimes shaded. Often with a gravelly and/or probably sandy bottom, submerged roots, dead trunks or branches and/or coarse detritus. From 700 to 1800 m above sea level, but mostly between 1200 and 1700, although possibly up to 2500.

Distribution

confirmed: Burundi; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Kenya; Rwanda; Uganda


© Hans-Joachim Clausnitzer


Abdomen (dorsal view)

Head (front)

Thorax (lateral view)

Map citation: Clausnitzer, V., K.-D.B. Dijkstra, R. Koch, J.-P. Boudot, W.R.T. Darwall, J. Kipping, B. Samraoui, M.J. Samways, J.P. Simaika & F. Suhling, 2012. Focus on African Freshwaters: hotspots of dragonfly diversity and conservation concern. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 10: 129-134.


Reference

  • Longfield, C. (1936). Studies on African Odonata, with synonymy and descriptions of new species and subspecies. Transactions Royal Entomological Society London, 85, 467-498. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-19].