Brachythemis wilsoni Pinhey, 1952
Swamp Groundling

Type locality: Yambio, Sudan

Diagnosis

Mature male is similar to B. lacustris by (a) wings orange to dark amber at base, without dark postnodal bands; (b) no cell-doublings in radial planate of all wings, although rarely 1 or 2; (c) Abd red. However, differs by (1) larger size, Hw 25-28 mm; (2) orange on wings fades distally, concentrated in rays in subcostal and cubital spaces, extends about to Ax2-3 and not into triangle. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Standing waters, streams, rivers and flowing channels in marshes in open landscapes. Usually with emergent vegetation and often a sandy and/or soft (like muddy) bottom. From 600 to 1400 m above sea level, but possibly down to 100.

Distribution

confirmed: Botswana; Burkina Faso; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Namibia; Nigeria; South Sudan; Togo; Uganda; NOT confirmed: Sudan


© Jens Kipping


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.


Reference

  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1952). Three new species of Odonata from eastern Africa. Occasional Papers Coryndon Memorial Museum, 3, 13-16. [PDF file]

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