Trithemis anomala Pinhey, 1956
Striped Dropwing

Type locality: Abercorn [= Mbala], Zambia

Diagnosis

Male is similar to T. aenea by (a) with maturity, thorax pruinose pale to dark blue, brown or black, often contrasting with largely black and pale- streaked Abd; (b) 10-12½ Ax in Fw [8½-14½]; (c) Hw base often with no or less amber; (d) anterior lamina anteriorly clothed rather evenly with hair, without distinct apical tuft; hook of hamule with generally finer tip; (e) anterior lamina with bulbous anterior profile and without knobs; genital lobe almost as long as short-hooked hamule; (f) genital lobe slender, narrower than hamule; (g) Abd mostly slender, S4 at least 3x as long as wide; (h) S4-5 and often S6-7 with double row of pale streaks. However, differs by (1) being restricted to Katanga and N Zambia; (2) dorsum of frons pale with black basal band; (3) labrum pale, marked with black T; (4) thorax dark with thick black markings; (5) Abd broader, S4 about 3x as long as wide (best seen in ventral view). [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Standing and probably often temporary waters shaded by gallery forest. Usually boggy and often with emergent and aquatic vegetation and a soft (like muddy) bottom. From 1100 to 1700 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Zambia


Male © Jens Kipping


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.


References

  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1956). Some dragonflies of east and central Africa and a rarity from Mauritius. Occasional Papers Coryndon Memorial Museum, 4, 17-41. [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. (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].