Hadrothemis defecta (Karsch, 1891)
Scarlet Jungleskimmer

Synonyms:

  • scientific: H. pseudodefecta Pinhey, 1961
  • vernacular: Red J.

Type locality: Sierra Leone, no locality data available.

Diagnosis

Male is similar to H. versuta by (a) labium pale with contrasting black central marking, sometimes all black; (b) labrum at least partly black; (c) wing bases broadly brown, tips not or comparatively faintly so; (d) no cell-doublings (rarely 1 or 2) in medial planate of Fw and Hw; (e) 1 Cux in Hw, rarely 2; (f) anterior lamina at most as high as hamule; (g) Abd broader and tapered towards end, S2 over 3 mm broad. However, differs by (1) sides of thorax quite uniformly dark, rather than black with yellow stripes; (2) subtriangle of 3 rather than 4 cells; (3) Hw triangle of 1 cell, only rarely 2; (4) brown of Hw base usually excludes triangle; (5) hook of hamule shorter than lobe, opposing corner of which is rounded; (6) Abd normally bright red also at maturity. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Standing and often temporary waters in open areas in forest, but sometimes also shaded by gallery forest. Usually with emergent vegetation and often a soft (like muddy) bottom. From 0 to 1500 m above sea level, but mostly below 700, although possibly up to 2100.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Côte d'Ivoire; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Congo-Brazzaville; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Equatorial Guinea; Gabon; Ghana; Guinee-Bissau; Liberia; Nigeria; Republic of Guinea; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Uganda; Zambia


Male © KJ


Abdominal segment 2 (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):


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


Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogooué, "Africa No1" (= Station de radiodiffusion de Moyabi) © Dijkstra, K.-D.B., Nicolas Mézière & Cédric Vanappelghem


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Female; Liberia, Nimba County, Mt Tokadeh © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

References

  • Karsch, F. (1891). Die libelluliden-gattungen Orthetrum, Newm. (Libella, Br.) und Thermorthemis, Kirby. Entomologische Nachrichten, 17, 58-62.
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]
  • Longfield, C. (1959). The Odonata of N. Angola. Part II. Publicacoes culturais Companhia Diamantes Angola, 45, 13-42. [PDF file]
  • Karsch, F. (1894). Libellen von der Deutschen Forschungs-Station Yáunde im Hinterlande von Kamerun, gesammelt von Herrn G. Zenker. Berliner Entomologische Zeitschrift, 39, 11-16. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1962). Some records of Odonata collected in tropical Africa. Journal Entomological Society Southern Africa, 25, 20-50. [PDF file]
  • Schouteden, H. (1934). Annales Musee Congo belge Zoologie 3 Section 2, 3, 1-84. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1971). Odonata collected in Republique Centre-Africaine by R. Pujol. Arnoldia, 5, 1-16. [PDF file]
  • Schmidt, E. (1951). Libellen aus Portugiesisch Guinea, mit Bemerkungen über andere aethiopische Odonaten. Arquivos Museu Bocage, 20, 125-200. [PDF file]
  • Aguesse, P. (1966). Contribution à la faune de Congo (Brazzaville) Mission A. Villiers et A. Descarpentries XXI. Odonates. Bulletin de l'Institut fondamental d'Afrique, 28, 783-797. [PDF file]

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