Genus Azuragrion May, 2002
sailing bluets

Synonyms:

• scientific: formerly placed in genus Enallagma Charpentier, 1840

Type species: Enallagma nigridorsum Selys, 1876

Introduction

Formerly classified in Enallagma, six species are confined to Africa, Madagascar and Arabia, but appear close to the tropical Asian Amphiallagma parvum. They are very small (hindwing 11-15 mm) blue damselflies, with the exception of the medium sized (hindwing 20-22 mm) Socotran endemic A. granti. The postocular spots are typically narrow and connected, creating a characteristic blue line on the back of the head. They inhabit open pools, perching just above the surface, often far from the waterside. A. nigridorsum and A. vansomereni can even perch on the water surface, sometimes drifting with the wind as if they are sailing. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Diagnosis

Male of genus is similar to Proischnura by (a) humeral stripe at most 2x as wide as antehumeral stripe; (b) metapleural suture usually at most with black dot at dorsal end; (c) Pt in Fw and Hw similarly coloured; (d) Pt pale brown, elongate, anterior border longer than proximal border; (e) black markings on S8-9 usually absent or concentrated dorsally; (f) apex of S10 with narrow excision, bordered on each side by small rounded process; (g) cerci seldom branched; (h) cerci and paraprocts not bifid, latter with dorsal spine but without inferior bulge; (i) paraprocts usually with distinct apical or dorsal spine. However, differs by (1) Hw 11-15 or (Socotra only) 20-22 mm; (2) mesostigmal plates without dorsally raised flap- or knob-like ridges; (3) base of paraproct scarcely swollen. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

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.

Reference

• May, M.L., and Dijkstra, K.-D.B. (in prep). Keys and distributional data for African damselflies of the genera Africallagma, Azuragrion, Pinheyagrion and Proischnura, with taxonomic notes and the description of a new species of Africallagma. Zoologische Mededelingen. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-10-30].