Pseudagrion (B) helenae Balinsky, 1964
Little Blue Sprite

Type locality: Ngamiland Game Reserve, Botswana

Diagnosis

Male is similar to P. glaucescens by(a) S8-9 seldom with narrowly black apical border, often all blue; (b) penis with shallow apical notch and no lateral points; (c) cerci about half as long as S10, inner border with sharp angle; (d) cerci at most with small basal tooth; cerci seldom dwarfed by paraprocts, if so normally not notched; (e) paraprocts never with dorsal knob (lateral view). However, differs by (1) less widespread, and ranging from N Botswana to Zambia and Malawi; (2) smaller size, Hw 17-18 mm; (3) face and mesepisternum blue rather than yellowish green; (4) lower branch of cerci concealed behind upper branch in lateral view, rather than being broad and well-visible. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Standing waters, flowing channels in marshes and possibly rivers in open landscapes, but sometimes shaded by gallery forest. Usually with emergent vegetation. From 0 to 1700 m above sea level, but mostly between 400 and 1300.

Distribution

Appendages (dorsal view)	Appendages (lateral view)
Penis (lateral 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):

Reference

• Balinsky, B.I. (1964). A new species of Pseudagrion (Odonata) from the Okavango swamps, Bechuanaland. Novos Taxa Entomologicos, 36, 3-7. [PDF file]

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