Zygonyx torridus (Kirby, 1889)
Ringed Cascader

Synonyms:

  • scientific: Z. torrida; ? Z. hova (Rambur, 1842)

Type locality: Sierra Leone, no locality data available.

Diagnosis

Male is similar to Z. natalensis by (a) widespread; (b) dorsum of thorax without pale cross-band anterior to antealar sinus; (c) 9½-11½ Ax in Fw; (d) hind legs (largely) black, with femoral denticles directed towards apex of femur; (e) apex of anterior lamina blunt and uncurved; (f) S7 unmarked, pruinose, or marked with spots similar to those on preceding segments. However, differs by (1) larger size, Hw 41-45 mm; (2) labrum black; (3) all wings with 2-5 cell-doublings in radial planate (count those cells touching Rspl, but not IR3); (4) hamule with long hook; (5) S4-8 with large lateral pale spots; (6) cerci straight, not sinuous. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Mostly streams, but also rivers, in open landscapes, but sometimes in open areas in forest or shaded by gallery forest. Often faster sections (rapids, falls) with rocks and a gravelly and/or sandy bottom. From 0 to 2300 m above sea level, but mostly below 1500, although possibly even higher up.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Benin; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Côte d'Ivoire; Cameroon; Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Ethiopia; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guinee-Bissau; Kenya; Liberia; Malawi; Mali; Morocco; Mozambique; Namibia; Nigeria; Republic of South Africa; Rwanda; Sierra Leone; Socotra (Yemen); Sudan; Tanzania; Togo; Tunisia; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe


Male © Jean-Pierre Boudot


Appendages (dorsal view)

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):


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, Old Buta Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, Mt Tokadeh © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


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


Adult, male; Angola, Cuanza Norte Province, Ndalatando © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


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

References

  • Kirby, W.F. (1889). A revision of the subfamily Libellulinae, with descriptions of new genera and species. Transactions Zoological Society London, 12, 249-348.
  • Ris, F. (1921). The Odonata or Dragonflies of South Africa. Annals South African Museum, XVIII, 245-452. [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. (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]
  • Longfield, C. (1959). The Odonata of N. Angola. Part II. Publicacoes culturais Companhia Diamantes Angola, 45, 13-42. [PDF file]
  • Sjöstedt, Y. (1900). Odonaten aus Kamerun, West -Afrika. Beltrage Zur Kenntnis der insektenfauna von Kamerun. Binhang Kongliga Svenka VetenskapsAkademiens Handlingar, 25, 1-62.
  • 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. (1971). Odonata collected in Republique Centre-Africaine by R. Pujol. Arnoldia, 5, 1-16. [PDF file]
  • D' Andrea, M., and Carfi, S. (1997). Nuove raccolte di odonati del Camerun con note su Agriocnemis maclachlani Selys, 1877 edescrizione di Agriocnemis dissimilis sp. nov. e Trithemis osvaldae sp. nov. Atti Societa italiana Scienze naturali, 136, 157-190. [PDF file]

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