Palpopleura portia (Drury, 1773)
Portia Widow
Synonyms:
- scientific: P. lucia (Drury, 1773) f. "portia"
- vernacular: Shadow-bridge W.; Silver-winged W.
Type locality: Sierra Leone, no locality data available.
Diagnosis
Male is similar to P. lucia by (a) frons and vertex blue-black metallic with maturity, contrasting weakly with dark face; (b) sides of thorax dark, often with pale stripes; (c) basal black on wings solid, extends beyond node and often even distal to Pt. However, differs by (1) relatively smaller size, Hw 17-24 mm; (2) mesepisterna usually pruinose with maturity; (3) posterior border of black field in all wings deeply excavated near node. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]
Habitat description
Standing and often temporary waters in open landscapes, open areas in forest or shaded by gallery forest. Usually with emergent vegetation and often coarse detritus and a soft (like muddy) bottom. From 0 to 2300 m above sea level, but mostly below 1800, although possibly up to 2900.
Distribution
Male © Allan Brandon
 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):
Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, Old Buta Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, Lower Lomami © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, Lower Lomami © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Male; Liberia, Nimba County, Mt Tokadeh © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Male; Liberia, Nimba County, Mt Tokadeh © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Male; Tanzania, Tanga Region, East Usambara Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Female; Tanzania, Tanga Region, East Usambara Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
References
- Gerstäcker, A. (1891). Jahrbuch Hamburgischen Wissenschaftlichen Anstalten, 9, 185-191. [PDF file]
- Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]
- Ris, F. (1931). Odonata aus Süd-Angola. Revue Suisse Zoologie, 38, 97-112. [PDF file]
- Karsch, F. (1894). Libellen von der Deutschen Forschungs-Station Yáunde im Hinterlande von Kamerun, gesammelt von Herrn G. Zenker. Berliner Entomologische Zeitschrift, 39 ,11-16. [PDF file]
- Sjöstedt, Y. (1900). Odonaten aus Kamerun, West -Afrika. Beltrage Zur Kenntnis der insektenfauna von Kamerun. Binhang Kongliga Svenka VetenskapsAkademiens Handlingar, 25, 1-62.
- Kirby, W.F. (1900). Report on the Neuroptera Odonata collected by Mr E. E. Austen at Sierra Leone during August and September 1899. Annals Magazine Natural History, 6, 67-79. [PDF file]
- Schmidt, E. (1951). Libellen aus Portugiesisch Guinea, mit Bemerkungen über andere aethiopische Odonaten. Arquivos Museu Bocage, 20, 125-200. [PDF file]
- Calvert, P.P. (1899). Neuropterous insects collected by Dr. A. Donaldson Smith in Northeastern Africa. Ecological Entomology, 51, 228-244. [PDF file]
Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-10-30].
