Trithemis nuptialis Karsch, 1894
Hairy-legged Dropwing

Synonyms:

  • scientific: T. leptosoma Pinhey, 1966

Type locality: Yaoundé, Cameroon

Diagnosis

Male is similar to T. grouti by (a) ranging from W Uganda, W Tanzania and N Zambia to W Africa; (b) vertex and dorsum of frons metallic purple, sometimes purplish blue; (c) Hw base clear, at most washed yellow at extreme base; (d) anterior lamina anteriorly clothed rather evenly with hair, without distinct apical tuft; hook of hamule with generally finer tip; (e) S4-7 with single or no row of streaks. However, differs by (1) pruinosity of thorax in life bright to dark blue, contrasting with Abd; (2) anterior side of hind femora for entire length densely clothed with long dark hair; (3) Abd slender, S4 about 5x as long as wide (best seen in ventral view). [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Standing waters and streams, but possibly also rivers, in open areas in forest, but sometimes shaded by gallery forest. Usually with emergent vegetation and often a sandy and/or soft (like muddy) bottom, probably especially pools in stream beds, often with blackwater and coarse detritus. From 0 to 1700 m above sea level, but mostly between 300 and 1300.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Cameroon; Congo-Brazzaville; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Equatorial Guinea; Gabon; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia; NOT confirmed: Central African Republic


Male © C?®dric Vanappelghem


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; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale,


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


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


Male; Tanzania, Kigoma Region, Lower Malagarasi Basin © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


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


Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, new campus site and environs © Clausnitzer, V. & Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Angola, Cuanza Norte Province, Quitexe-Camabatela road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, new campus site and environs © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

References

  • 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]
  • Sjöstedt, Y. (1917). Odonaten aus Abessinien, Ost- und Westafrika. Arkiv Zoologi, 11, 1-27.
  • 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]
  • Schouteden, H. (1934). Annales Musee Congo belge Zoologie 3 Section 2, 3, 1-84. [PDF file]
  • Lieftinck, M.A. (1969). Odonates Anisoptères - Odonata Anisoptera. Explor. hydrob. Lac Bangweolo and Luapula, 14, 1-64. [PDF file]
  • Schmidt, E. (1951). Libellen aus Portugiesisch Guinea, mit Bemerkungen über andere aethiopische Odonaten. Arquivos Museu Bocage, 20, 125-200. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1970). Monographic study of the genus Trithemis Brauer (Odonata: Libellulidae). Memoirs Entomological Society Southern Africa, 11, 1-159. [PDF file]
  • D' Andrea, M., and Carfi, S. (1997). Nuove raccolte di odonati del Camerun con note su Agriocnemis maclachlani Selys, 1877 edescrizione di Agriocnemis dissimilis sp. nov. e Trithemis osvaldae sp. nov. Atti Societa italiana Scienze naturali, 136, 157-190. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-29].