Genus Pinheyschna Peters & Theischinger, 2011
stream hawkers

Synonyms:

• scientific: formerly placed in genus Aeshna Fabricius, 1775

Type species: Aeschna rileyi Calvert, 1892

Introduction

Medium-sized species (hindwing 39-50 mm), paler than Afroaeschna and Zosteraeschna, with larger greyish green abdomen spots. They are most active around sunset and breed in streams and smaller rivers, often fast-flowing with rocks, open and/or elevated. While the other species are widespread and locally abundant, P. moori is only known from two collected specimens. A sixth species, P. yemenensis, is endemic to south-western Arabia. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Diagnosis

Male of genus is similar to Afroaeschna and Zosteraeschna by (a) frons about ½ as wide as head; (b) eyes greenish in life; (c) vertex all dark or with 1 central pale marking; (d) auricles present; (e) IR2 extends at most halfway under Pt; (f) R3 gradually curved backward near distal end of Pt; (g) distal end of Rspl directed at wing tip or point posterior of it; (h) membranule borders anal triangle for less than ½ its length; (i) Hw tornus angled and cubital field always of 2 rows at base; (j) anal triangle almost reaches tornus. However, differs by (1) stem of black mark on frons round or swollen, rather than rectangular, and surrounded by pale area often like bull’s-eye; (2) labium and face pale yellowish, rather than labium brown and face greenish; (3) genital lobe usually long and/or pointed, rather than short and rounded, and without denticles; (4) dorsum S10 with strong tooth; (5) tips of cerci with down-curved point, rather than tips being flat or rounded; (6) epiproct about ½ as long as cerci. [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

• Peters, G. & Theischinger, G. 2011. The genera of the afrotropical "Aeshnini": Afroaeschna gen. nov., Pinheyschna gen. nov. and Zosteraeschna gen. nov., with the description of Pinheyschna waterstoni spec. nov. (Anisoptera: Aeshnidae). Odonatologica 40(3):227-249. [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].