Elattoneura glauca (Selys, 1860)
Common Threadtail
Type locality: Cape Province, South Africa
Diagnosis
Male is similar to E. nigra by (a) being rarely found in dense forest; (b) frons pruinose with maturity; (c) eyes largely blue in life, rather than dark; (d) ventral process of cerci with 2 teeth (may be close to each other, check caudal view). However, differs by (1) ranging from Uganda and Kenya to Angola and South Africa; (2) penis with slender filament-like lateral branches; (3) ventral process of cerci triangular, wide at base, with conspicuous subapical tooth next to single apical tooth. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]
Habitat description
Mostly streams, but also rivers, shaded by gallery forest, but sometimes in open landscapes. Often with emergent vegetation and a gravelly, sandy and/or soft (like muddy) bottom. From 0 to 2400 m above sea level, but mostly below 1800.
Distribution
Male © Jens Kipping
 Appendages (lateral view) |
 Penis (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.
Barcode specimen(s):
Adult, female; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Vumba Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, below Vumba Mts, Essex Valley © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, female; Angola, Uige Province, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, new campus site and environs © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, new campus site and environs © Clausnitzer, V. & Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, new campus site and environs © Clausnitzer, V. & Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, new campus site and environs © Clausnitzer, V. & Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Male; Tanzania, Tanga Region, East Usambara Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Female; Tanzania, Tanga Region, East Usambara Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Male; Tanzania, Tanga Region, East Usambara Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Male; Tanzania, Tanga Region, East Usambara Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Chimanimani National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Chimanimani National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
References
- de Sélys-Longchamps, E. (1860). Synopsis des Agrionines. Derniere légion: Protoneura. Bulletin Academie royale Belgique Serie, 2 10, 431-462.
- Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]
- Pinhey, E.C.G. (1966). Check-list of dragonflies (Odonata) from Malawi, with description of a new Teinobasis Kirby. Arnoldia, 2, 1-24. [PDF file]
- Fraser, F.C. (1955). Odonata collected by J. Hamon in French West Africa. Revue francaise Entomologie, 22, 237-243. [PDF file]
Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-10-13].
