Ischnura senegalensis (Rambur, 1842)
Tropical Bluetail

Type locality: Senegal, no locality data available.

Diagnosis

The only Ischnura is most of tropical Africa and thus easily identified by male’s two-toned Pt. May meet I. abyssinica in Ethiopian highlands, the male of which is similar by (a) centre of Fw Pt with dark proximal and pale distal portion; (b) black on S2 narrower at apex and often distinctly widened at base; (c) paraprocts longer than cerci. However, differs by (1) posterior border of hindlobe of prothorax well-separated from (all black) waved ridge anterior of it; (2) Fw Pt only slightly larger than Hw Pt, with about outer ½ bluish white; (3) S9 broadly black dorsally, black on dorsum S10 extends down at least to level of paraprocts; (4) apical process S10 higher than wide (caudal view). [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Standing and often temporary waters, rivers, streams and possibly large lakes in open landscapes. Often with emergent and aquatic vegetation. Tolerates conditions avoided by other species, e.g. rather saline, with high organic input from animals or near hot springs. From 0 to 2700 m above sea level, but mostly below 1800.

Distribution

Appendages (lateral view)	Appendages (caudal view)
Forewing pterostigma

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

• Rambur, P. (1842). Histoire Naturelle des Insectes. Neuroptères. Insectes Neuroptères. Paris: Librairie Encyclopédique de Roret xvii, pp.534.
• Consiglio, C. (1978). Odonata collected in ethopia by the expeditions of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, 375, 27-51. [PDF file]
• Ris, F. (1921). The Odonata or Dragonflies of South Africa. Annals South African Museum, XVIII, 245-452. [PDF file]
• Longfield, C. (1936). Studies on African Odonata, with synonymy and descriptions of new species and subspecies. Transactions Royal Entomological Society London, 85, 467-498. [PDF file]
• Longfield, C. (1931). A list of the Odonata of British Somaliland and a description of a new species of the genus Enallagma. Entomologist, 64, 274-278. [PDF file]
• Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]
• Martin, R. (1907). Collections recueillies par M. Maurice de Rothschild dans l'Afrique orientale anglaise: Insectes: Odonates nouveaux. Bulletin Museum Histoire Naturelle, 7, 508-514. [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]
• 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]
• Pinhey, E.C.G. (1967). Odonata Zygoptera. Exploration Hydrobiologique Bassin Lac Bangweolo Luapula, 14, 1-43. [PDF file]
• Fraser, F.C. (1955). Odonata collected by J. Hamon in French West Africa. Revue francaise Entomologie, 22, 237-243. [PDF file]
• Martin, R. (1896). Odonates des îles Seychelles. Memoires Societe Zoologique France, 9, 101-112. [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/ [2024-10-30].