Pseudagrion (B) coeleste Longfield, 1947
Catshead Sprite

Synonyms:

  • scientific: P. umsingaziense Balinsky, 1963

Type locality: Mupa, Angola

Diagnosis

Male is similar to P. glaucescens and P. helenae, by (a) face green or blue, sometimes yellowish; (b) S8-9 seldom with narrowly black apical border, often all blue; (c) cerci without flange; (d) cerci at most with small basal tooth; cerci seldom dwarfed by paraprocts, if so normally not notched; (e) inner borders of both upper and lower branch of cerci angled or toothed, thus cerci appearing double-hooked (dorsal view); (f) paraprocts never with dorsal knob (lateral view). However, differs by (1) ranging from N South Africa and N Botswana to Zambia; (2) smaller size, Hw 16-21 mm; (3) penis with deep apical notch and small lateral points, rather than with shallow apical notch and no lateral points; (4) cerci almost as long as S10, angle of inner border of lower branch of cerci rather obtuse (dorsal view), rather than with sharp angle. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Standing waters and rivers, but possibly also large lakes and flowing channels in marshes, in open landscapes, but sometimes shaded by gallery forest. Usually with emergent and often aquatic vegetation. From 0 to 1600 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Botswana; Malawi; Mozambique; Namibia; Republic of South Africa; Tanzania; Zambia; Zimbabwe; NOT confirmed: Chad


Male © Jens Kipping


Appendages (dorsal view)

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.


References

  • Longfield, C. (1947). The Odonata of South Angola. Results of the missions scientifiques suisses 1928-29, 1932-33. Arquivos Museu Bocage, 16, 1-31. [PDF file]
  • Balinsky, B.I. (1963). A contribution towards the systematics of dragonflies of southern Africa (Odonata). Journal Entomological Society Southern Africa, 26, 228-255. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1973). Notes on some African representatives of the genus Pseudagrion Selys, 1876, with descriptions of two new species (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae). Odonatologica, 2, 317-327. [PDF file]

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