Trithemis aconita Lieftinck, 1969
Halfshade Dropwing
Type locality: Kisamamba, DRC
Diagnosis
Male is similar to T. congolica by (a) Hw base with small brown patch, normally excluding triangle but extending onto anal field; (b) apex of anterior lamina pale, swollen and turned forward, appearing like hood, bare; (c) hamule with long rather straight hook with abruptly curved point; (d) genital lobe directed away from hamule. However, differs by (1) being widespread outside Congo Basin; (2) smaller size, Hw 27-31 mm; (3) 9½-12½ Ax in Fw, rarely up to 14½; (4) patch at Hw base small, reduced in subcostal space and most prominent in cubital space, at most extends just beyond Cux. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]
Habitat description
Standing waters, rivers and streams shaded by gallery forest, but also in open areas in forest. Especially pools in stream beds, usually with coarse detritus, often a soft (like muddy) bottom and/or probably emergent vegetation. From 0 to 1700 m above sea level, but mostly below 1300.
Distribution
Male © Jens Kipping
 Abdominal segment 2 (lateral view) |
 Wings |
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):
Female; Liberia, Grand Gedeh County, Putu Iron Ore Mining concession © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & A. Dayeker
Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogooué, Mounana-Lastoursville Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & Nicolas Mézière
Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogooué, Moupia © Dijkstra, K.-D.B., Nicolas Mézière & Cédric Vanappelghem
Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogooué, Mounana-Lastoursville Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & Nicolas Mézière
Male; Liberia, Nimba County, Yekepa-Gbeleyee Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Male; Liberia, Nimba County, Yekepa-Gbeleyee Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Male; Liberia, Nimba County, Yekepa-Gbeleyee Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, male; Angola, Cuanza Norte Province, Ndalatando © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, Uige-Quitexe road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Adult, female; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, below Vumba Mts, Burma Valley © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
References
- 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 of Fernando Po Island and of neighbouring Cameroons Territory. Journal Entomological Society Southern Africa, 34, 215-229. [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/ [2024-04-16].
