Trithemis dorsalis (Rambur, 1842)
Highland Dropwing

Type locality: Cape Province, South Africa

Diagnosis

Male is similar to T. ellenbeckii by (a) dorsum of frons metallic purple; (b) pruinosity of thorax and Abd in life dark blue; (c) 10-12½ Ax in Fw [8½-14½]; (d) Hw base with distinct amber patch, which extends onto anal field and/or at least halfway to Cux; (e) apex of anterior lamina with group of long, often coagulated, hairs; hook of hamule with rather thick tip; (f) genital lobe slender, narrower than hamule; (g) Abd broad, S4 always under 3x as long as wide (best seen in ventral view). However, differs by (1) ranging from Kenya to South Africa; (2) distal Ax in Fw usually complete; (3) amber patch in Hw round, concentrated in cubital space, seldom extends to Cux; (4) fore femur with pale streak; (5) if not covered by pruinosity: S4-6 broadly black along dorsal carina. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Standing waters, rivers and streams in open landscapes. Often with emergent vegetation and a soft (like muddy) bottom. From 0 to 2400 m above sea level, but mostly between 1000 and 2100.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Burundi; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Kenya; Mozambique; Republic of South Africa; Swaziland; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe; NOT confirmed: Lesotho


Male (young) © Erland Nielsen


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):


Adult, female; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Chimanimani National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Chimanimani National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Chimanimani National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Chimanimani National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, female; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, northside of Nyanga National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & U. Bjelke


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

References

  • Rambur, P. (1842). Histoire Naturelle des Insectes. Neuroptères. Insectes Neuroptères. Paris: Librairie Encyclopédique de Roret xvii, pp.534.
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1966). Check-list of dragonflies (Odonata) from Malawi, with description of a new Teinobasis Kirby. Arnoldia, 2, 1-24. [PDF file]
  • Barnard, K.H. (1937). Notes on dragon-flies (Odonata) of the S. W. Cape with descriptions of the nymphs and of new species. Annals South African Museum, 32, 169-260. [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]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1970). Monographic study of the genus Trithemis Brauer (Odonata: Libellulidae). Memoirs Entomological Society Southern Africa, 11, 1-159. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-28].