Genus Pinheyagrion May, 2002
Pinhey's bluets

Synonyms:

• scientific: formerly placed in genus Enallagma Charpentier, 1840

Type species: Enallagma angolicum Pinhey, 1966

Introduction

Monotypic genus formerly placed in Enallagma, occurring in open marshes from Angola and northern Botswana to north-eastern Zambia. Because of its very small size (hindwing 10-12 mm) and habit of living amongst grasses and sedges P. angolicum may be mistaken for Agriocnemis. With its thin antehumeral stripes, round reddish pterostigmas, only abdominal segment 9 largely blue, and peculiar appendages, it is unlike any other African coenagrionid. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Diagnosis

Genus closet to Azuragrion by (a) Pt in Fw and Hw similarly coloured; (b) metapleural suture usually at most with black dot at dorsal end (c) black markings on S8-9 usually absent or concentrated dorsally (d) apex of S10 without black denticles, but may have lobes (e) apex of S10 with narrow excision, bordered on each side by small rounded process; (f) cerci seldom branched; paraprocts usually with distinct apical or dorsal spine and often much swollen at base, resulting in prominent inferior bulge (lateral view). However, differs by (1) smaller size, Hw 10-13 mm; (2) humeral stripe 4-5x as wide as antehumeral stripe; (3) Pt pink or red rather than pale brown, rounded rather than elongate, anterior border shorter rather than longer than proximal border; (4) cerci and paraprocts both bifid with distinct dorsal spine, latter with huge inferior bulge. (lateral view). [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.

References

• 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]
• Dijkstra, K.-D.B, and Clausnitzer, V. (2014). The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Eastern Africa: handbook for all Odonata from Sudan to Zimbabwe. Studies in Afrotropical Zoology, 298, 1-264.

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