Orthetrum camerunense Gambles, 1959
One-striped Skimmer

Synonyms:

  • scientific: O. caffrum (Burmeister, 1839) ssp. camerunense

Type locality: Bamenda, Cameroon

Diagnosis

Male is similar to O. caffrum 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) wings clear around nodes; (d) metepimeral carina at most with posterior corner marked with black. Dorsal carina of Abd without black; (e) mesepimeral whitish stripe lies against humeral suture; (f) hook of hamule turned forward, lobe rounded. However, differs by (1) ranging from W Kenya to Katanga and Cameroon; (2) only stripe on mesepimeron distinct; that on metepimeron may be hinted by whitish wash, but is not dark-bordered; (3) yellow at Hw base deep, extends at least halfway to Cux and into several cells of anal field; (4) hook of hamule with raised posterior border. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Seeps, springs and headwaters (probably often temporary), but possibly also standing waters and larger streams, in open landscapes and open areas in forest. Usually with emergent vegetation and often a soft (like muddy) bottom. From 900 to 2600 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Burundi; Cameroon; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Kenya; Nigeria; Rwanda; Uganda


Male (mature) © Hans-Joachim Clausnitzer


Male (young) © Adolfo Cordero


Abdominal segment 2 (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.


Reference

  • Gambles, R.M. (1959). A new species of Orthetrum (Odon., Libellulidae) from the Bamenda Highlands, British Cameroons. Entomologists Monthly Magazine, 95, 44-46. [PDF file]

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