Azuragrion vansomereni (Pinhey, 1956)
Tiny Bluet

Type locality: Acholi, Uganda

Diagnosis

Male is similar to A. nigridorsum by (a) postclypeus black; (b) metapleural and interpleural sutures with (almost) no black; (c) antehumeral stripe separated from mesepimeral blue by complete humeral black stripe; (d) antehumeral stripe narrower than halfwidth of mesepisternum; (e) dorsal black S3-7 broad and continuous; (f) S8-9 largely blue; (g) dorsum of S8-9 basally black; (h) cerci with short concealed lower branch. However, differs by (1) ranging from Arabia to W Africa; (2) smaller size, Hw 11-13 mm; (3) cerci distinctly longer than paraprocts. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Standing and mostly temporary waters in open landscapes, but sometimes also open areas in forest. Often with emergent and usually aquatic vegetation. From 0 to 1400 m above sea level, but possibly up to 2000.

Distribution

confirmed: Côte d'Ivoire; Cameroon; Ethiopia; Gambia; Ghana; Liberia; Mali; Nigeria; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Togo; Uganda; NOT confirmed: Guinee-Bissau; Niger


© Allan Brandon


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):


Female; Liberia, Nimba County, East Nimba Nature Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, East Nimba Nature Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, East Nimba Nature Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, East Nimba Nature Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

Reference

  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1956). Some dragonflies of east and central Africa and a rarity from Mauritius. Occasional Papers Coryndon Memorial Museum, 4, 17-41. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-28].