Orthetrum brevistylum Kirby, 1898
Three-striped Skimmer

Synonyms:

  • scientific: O. kollmannspergeri Buchholz, 1959; O. taeniolatum sensu Longfield, 1936 nec (Schneider, 1845)

Type locality: Somalia, no locality data available.

Diagnosis

Male is similar to O. chrysostigma by (a) thorax with 1-3 contrasting whitish stripes on each side, each one with dark border on anterior or both sides; (b) when stripes are faint or invisible due to pruinosity, then labium and labrum all pale, lobe of hamule low and Abd always shorter than Hw; (c) metepimeral carina often largely marked with black line. Dorsal carina of Abd (narrowly) black; (d) hamule without ridge and/or hook is placed at its end, profile of hamule thus has 2 points (1 if lobe is low), hook being anterior one; (e) hook of hamule turned outward. However, differs by (1) ranging from Sahel region to Somalia; (2) smaller size, Hw 25-28 mm; (3) membranule whitish; (4) Pt 2.5-3 mm; (5) both mesepimeron and metepimeron with whitish stripes; metepimeral carina not marked with black.); (6) lobe of hamule enveloped by base of hook. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Not known well, but probably streams or temporary standing waters in open landscapes. Probably often with a soft (like muddy) bottom and emergent vegetation. From 500 to 2600 m above sea level, but possibly down to 200.

Distribution

confirmed: Côte d'Ivoire; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Nigeria; Somalia; Sudan; NOT confirmed: Kenya; Uganda

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

  • 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]
  • Förster, F. (1906). Die Libellulidengattungen von Afrika und Madagaskar. Jahresbericht Mannheimer Vereins Naturkunde, 72, 1-67.
  • Longfield, C. (1955). The Odonata of N. Angola. Part I. Publicacoes culturais Companhia Diamantes Angola, 27, 11-63. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-19].