Pseudagrion (A) bicoerulans Martin, 1907
Giant Sprite

Type locality: Nairobi, Kenya

Diagnosis

Male is similar to P. gamblesi by (a) frons not pruinose, and more extensively black and/or postclypeus with broad pale border; (b) antehumeral stripes and postocular spots usually well-developed; (c) Abd usually pruinose, as are often head and/or thorax; (d) cerci with basal tooth present separate from poorly developed flange, although it may be hard to see; (e) cerci with large lower branch that reaches past upper branch and/or gap between branches narrow (lower branch does not fit in it) ): often like hand with thumb and fingers held close (lateral view). However, differs by (1) occurring above 2000 m in Kenya, SE Uganda and N Tanzania; (2) labrum yellow with black border, sometimes all black - rather than all pale; (3) 4, rather than 3, cells between Fw quadrilateral and subnode [3-4]; (4) lower branch of cerci huge, strongly incurved, making them clasper-like in dorsal view. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Streams in open areas in forest, but sometimes also shaded by (possibly gallery) forest and above 2000 m altitude in open landscapes. Probably often with emergent vegetation, submerged roots, rocks and/or a gravelly bottom. Inferred to occur from 1200 to 3600 m above sea level.

Distribution

Appendages (dorsal view)

Appendages (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.

References

• Martin, R. (1907). Collections recueillies par M. Maurice de Rothschild dans l'Afrique orientale anglaise: Insectes: Odonates nouveaux. Bulletin Museum Histoire Naturelle, 7, 508-514. [PDF file]
• Longfield, C. (1936). Studies on African Odonata, with synonymy and descriptions of new species and subspecies. Transactions Royal Entomological Society London, 85 (20): 467-498. [PDF file]
• Ris, F., and Schmidt, E. (1936). Die Pseudagrion-Arten des kontinentalen Afrika. (Insecta, Odonata). [posthumous, Schmidt based on Ris' notes - sp authorship Schmidt] Abhandlungen Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, 433, 1-68. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-10-31].