Africocypha varicolor Dijkstra, Mézière & Günther, 2015
Polychrome Jewel

Type locality: Moyabi, Gabon

Diagnosis

Male is similar to A. centripunctata and A. lacuselephantum (see diagnosis Africocypha) but is (1) smaller, Hw 21-23 mm rather than 24-29 mm; and with maturity (2) the frons and occiput are largely pale blue, rather than with some greenish spots; (3) the dorsum of S2-5 is red with weakly developed dark apical bars, S6-8 either entirely violet-blue, orange-yellow or pink-red, S9 black except for the preceding colour at its extreme base, and S10 entirely black, rather than the dorsum of S2 and sometimes S3 largely black and S3-9 all at least with thick black apical bars; and (4) the ventral portion of the tergites is red marked increasingly with black terminally, from all-red S2-5 to all-black S8-10, rather than all segments appearing rather similar. [Adapted from Dijkstra, Kipping & Mézière 2015]

Habitat description

Streams in open areas in forest, but sometimes shaded. Usually with dead trunks or branches, often blackwater and a gravelly, sandy and/or soft (like muddy) bottom. From 300 to 600 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Gabon

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

  • Dijkstra, K.-D.B., Mézière, N., and Kipping, J. (2015). Sixty new dragonfly and damselfly species from Africa (Odonata). Odonatologica, 44, 447-678.

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-19].