Orthetrum machadoi Longfield, 1955
Highland Skimmer

Synonyms:

  • scientific: O. rhodesiae Pinhey, 1961
  • vernacular: Machado's S. (Su, Sa, Ta, RL)

Type locality: Dundo, Lunda District, Angola

Diagnosis

Male is similar to O. lusinga by (a) size, Hw 24-31 mm; (b) labium all pale, rarely black on central lobe; (c) 1 row in radial planate, sum of cell-doublings 0-10 [0-14]; (d) usually all (at least proximal) subcostal Ax pale; (e) Pt not swollen, usually 12.5% of Hw length or less; (f) metepimeral carina not marked with black line; (g) space between hook and lobe of hamule usually wide; (h) hook of hamule broader, turned out- or backward and with curved and/or excised anterior border; (i) at least S4-7 with pale longitudinal streaks, at most S9-10 all dark, although marking on S8 can be tiny. Cerci always at least partially dark. However, differs by (1) being widespread; (2) hook of hamule with convex rather than concave anterior border, pointed and backward-turned tip well-separated from lobe; (3) S6-8 broadly black laterally, S9-10 largely black rather than brown. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Mostly standing and probably often temporary waters, but also streams and possibly headwaters, seeps and springs, in open landscapes, but sometimes shaded by gallery forest. Usually with emergent vegetation and often a soft (like muddy) bottom. From 0 to 1900 m above sea level, but mostly between 900 and 1800.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Botswana; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Egypt; Ethiopia; Kenya; Malawi; Mozambique; Namibia; Republic of South Africa; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe


Male © Jean-Pierre Boudot


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.


Barcode specimen(s):


Adult, female; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Chimanimani National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Chimanimani National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Mt Selinda-Chipinge road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Tanzania, Tanga Region, East Usambara Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Kundelungu National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, female; Angola, Uige Province, Negage © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, female; Angola, Uige Province, Negage © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

References

  • Longfield, C. (1955). The Odonata of N. Angola. Part I. Publicacoes culturais Companhia Diamantes Angola, 27, 11-63. [PDF file]
  • Balinsky, B.I. (1961). Observations on the dragonfly fauna of the coastal region of Zululand, with descriptions of three new species (Odonata). Journal Entomological Society Southern Africa, 24, 72-91. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies collected on an expedition from Rhodesia to Nigeria in 1958. Part 1. Entomologists Monthly Magazine, 96, 256-271. [PDF file]
  • Lieftinck, M.A. (1969). Odonates Anisoptères - Odonata Anisoptera. Explor. hydrob. Lac Bangweolo and Luapula, 14, 1-64. [PDF file]

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