Genus Enallagma Charpentier, 1840
American bluets

Type species: Agrion cyathigerum Charpentier, 1840

Introduction

For an introduction to this genus, please refer to: Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & R. Lewington, 2006. Field guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe. British Wildlife Publishing. 1-320.

Diagnosis

Typical bluets, the male being blue distinctively marked with black (see E. cyathigerum). Females are usually either brown or blue with torpedo-like markings on S3-7 and have a small but prominent vulvar spine on the underside of S8, at the base of the ovipositor. The blue-and-black pattern of males recalls most Coenagrion species and Erythromma lindenii (see E. cyathigerum for a detailed comparison). Only Ischnura females share the vulvar spine, but it is weaker.Brown females may be confused with Sympecma, which has similar markings on S3-6, but differs in its long Pt and details of markings and venation. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Lewington 2006]

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

• Dijkstra, K.-D.B., and Lewington, R. (2006). Field guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe. British Wildlife Publishing, 1-320.
• Ris, F. (1921). The Odonata or Dragonflies of South Africa. Annals South African Museum, XVIII, 245-452. [PDF file]
• Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]
• Barnard, K.H. (1937). Notes on dragon-flies (Odonata) of the S. W. Cape with descriptions of the nymphs and of new species. Annals South African Museum, 32, 169-260. [PDF file]

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