Pseudagrion (B) sjoestedti Förster, 1906
Variable Sprite

Synonyms:

• scientific: P. sjostedti
• vernacular: Rufous S.; Sjoestedt's S.

Type locality: Bipindi, Cameroon

Diagnosis

Male is similar to P. rufostigma by (a) face usually reddish, sometimes yellow, postocular spots and antehumeral stripes often present; (b) at least tibiae pale, contrasting with femora when these are dark; (c) apical black often extends ventrally to sides of S8-9, segments may be pruinose; (d) lateral lobes of penis rounded or absent; (e) cerci with apical notch, or notch unclear; (f) paraprocts not hatchet-shaped and at most curved up weakly, with rounded apex, and if low knob present then apex is long and pointed. However, differs by (1) being widespread; (2) apex of penis rounded rather than bilobed; (3) cerci often shorter than paraprocts, rarely longer, not expanded distally, with no or only slight apical notch. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Mostly rivers, but also streams and possibly flowing channels in marshes, in open landscapes, open areas in forest or shaded by gallery forest. Usually with emergent vegetation and often a sandy and/or soft (like muddy) bottom. From 0 to 2100 m above sea level, but mostly below 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):

References

• Förster, F. (1906). Die Libellulidengattungen von Afrika und Madagaskar. Jahresbericht Mannheimer Vereins Naturkunde, 72: 1-67.
• Ris, F. (1921). The Odonata or Dragonflies of South Africa. Annals South African Museum, XVIII, 245-452. [PDF file]
• Balinsky, B.I. (1963). A contribution towards the systematics of dragonflies of southern Africa (Odonata). Journal Entomological Society Southern Africa, 26, 228-255. [PDF file]
• Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 1-97. [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]
• Pinhey, E.C.G. (1973). Notes on some African representatives of the genus Pseudagrion Selys, 1876, with descriptions of two new species (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae). Odonatologica, 2, 317-327. [PDF file]
• Ris, F., and Schmidt, E. (1936). Die Pseudagrion-Arten des kontinentalen Afrika. (Insecta, Odonata). Abhandlungen Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, 433, 1-68. [PDF file]
• Pinhey, E.C.G. (1967). Odonata Zygoptera. Exploration Hydrobiologique Bassin Lac Bangweolo Luapula, 14, 1-43. [PDF file]
• Schouteden, H. (1934). Annales Musee Congo belge Zoologie 3 Section 2, 3, 1-84. [PDF file]
• Pinhey, E.C.G. (1971). Odonata collected in Republique Centre-Africaine by R. Pujol. Arnoldia, 5, 1-16. [PDF file]
• Schmidt, E. (1951). Libellen aus Portugiesisch Guinea, mit Bemerkungen über andere aethiopische Odonaten. Arquivos Museu Bocage, 20, 125-200. [PDF file]
• D' Andrea, M., and Carfi, S. (1997). Nuove raccolte di odonati del Camerun con note su Agriocnemis maclachlani Selys, 1877 edescrizione di Agriocnemis dissimilis sp. nov. e Trithemis osvaldae sp. nov. Atti Societa italiana Scienze naturali, 136, 157-190. [PDF file]

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