Trithemis furva Karsch, 1899
Navy Dropwing

Type locality: Albert Falls, Natal, South Africa

Diagnosis

Male is similar to T. pruinata by (a) dorsum of frons metallic purple, or glossy black; (b) with maturity, thorax and Abd uniformly pruinose dark blue to black; (c) 10-12½ Ax in Fw [8½-14½]; (d) Hw base clear or at most with some amber that extends from base about halfway to Cux; (e) anterior lamina with bulbous anterior profile and without knobs; (f) apex of anterior lamina with clump of bristles which are short, thick and outstanding; (g) hook of hamule with rather thick tip; (h) genital lobe slender, narrower than hamule; (i) Abd broad, S4 always under 3x as long as wide (best seen in ventral view). However, differs by (1) pruinosity of thorax and Abd in life dark blue; (2) Pt swollen, often with pale line along posterior vein; (3) hook of hamule almost as long as hamule is wide. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Mostly streams, but also rivers, in open landscapes and open areas in forest. Often with emergent vegetation and rocks. From 0 to 2500 m above sea level, but mostly below 2000.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Botswana; Cameroon; Chad; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Kenya; Lesotho; Malawi; Mozambique; Namibia; Nigeria; Republic of South Africa; Somalia; Sudan; Swaziland; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe


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


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


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


Adult, female; South Africa, Western Cape, Stettynskloof © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; South Africa, Western Cape, Stettynskloof © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; South Africa, Western Cape, Kogelberg Nature Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, female; South Africa, Western Cape, Kogelberg Nature Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; South Africa, Western Cape, Bain's Kloof © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Vumba Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


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

References

  • Karsch, F. (1899). Neue Odonaten aus Ost- und Süd-Afrika mit Einschluss des Seengebietes. Entomologische Nachrichten, 25, 369-382. [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/ [2024-03-29].