Agriocnemis exilis Selys, 1872
Little Wisp

Type locality: Maroantsetra, Madagascar

Diagnosis

One of the most widespread Agriocnemis, the male separated from other species by (1) hindlobe of prothorax entire, rather than incised at two sides; (2) apex of S10 at most raised, but not extended; (3) paraprocts about as long as cerci, tapering to pointed apex (lateral view); (4) cerci with needle-like ventral process, rather than triangular. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Mostly standing and often temporary waters, but also streams and possibly flowing channels in marshes, in open landscapes. Usually with emergent and often aquatic vegetation. From 0 to 2000 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Benin; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Chad; Congo-Brazzaville; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Ethiopia; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guinee-Bissau; Kenya; Liberia; Malawi; Mali; Mozambique; Namibia; Nigeria; Republic of South Africa; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Sudan; Tanzania; Togo; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe; NOT confirmed: Côte d'Ivoire; Republic of Guinea; Swaziland

Appendages (lateral view)

Head (dorsal 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; Angola, Uige Province, Negage © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, Negage © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


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

; Liberia, ,


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

References

  • de Sélys-Longchamps, E. (1872). Note sur plusieurs Odonates de Madagascar et des îles Mascareigenes. Revue Magasin Zoologie, 23, 177-183.
  • Ris, F. (1921). The Odonata or Dragonflies of South Africa. Annals South African Museum, XVIII, 245-452. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1974). A revision of the African Agriocnemis Selys and Mortonagrion Fraser (Odonata Coenagrionidae). Occasional Papers National Museums Rhodesia B Natural Science, 5, 171-278. [PDF file]
  • Balinsky, B.I. (1961). Observations on the dragonfly fauna of the coastal region of Zululand, with descriptions of three new species (Odonata). Journal Entomological Society Southern Africa, 24, 72-91. [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]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1962). New or little-known dragonflies (Odonata) of Central and Southern Africa. Occasional Papers National Museum Southern Rhodesia, 26, 892-911. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1967). Odonata Zygoptera. Exploration Hydrobiologique Bassin Lac Bangweolo Luapula, 14, 1-43. [PDF file]
  • Martin, R. (1896). Odonates des îles Seychelles. Memoires Societe Zoologique France, 9, 101-112. [PDF file]
  • Martin, R. (1907). Odonates de la Guinée espagnole. Memorias Sociedad espanola Historia natural, 1, 421-432. [PDF file]
  • Schouteden, H. (1934). Annales Musee Congo belge Zoologie 3 Section 2, 3, 1-84. [PDF file]
  • Schmidt, E. (1951). Libellen aus Portugiesisch Guinea, mit Bemerkungen über andere aethiopische Odonaten. Arquivos Museu Bocage, 20, 125-200. [PDF file]
  • Sjöstedt, Y. (1909). Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der schwedischen zoologischen Expedition nach dem Kilimandjaro, dem Meru und den umgebenden Massaisteppen Deutsch-Ostafrikas 1905-1906 unter Leitung von Prof. Dr. Yngve Sjöstedt. 14. Pseudoneuroptera. Odonata, 14, 1-52.

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-29].