Genus Thermochoria Kirby, 1889
piedfaces

Synonyms:

• scientific: Passeria Martin, 1915 [jeanneli]

Type species: Thermochoria equivocata Kirby, 1889

Introduction

Endemic to tropical Africa, with two very similar species that differ from Hemistigma only in numerous characters of wing venation, which all reflect an overall increase of cross-veins. Like H. albipunctum they breed in swampy and flooded habitats, but almost invariably in (gallery) forest. They are also black with bold brown, yellow or cream markings at emergence. However, the body (including eyes) becomes all-dark with only the white face and pale pruinosity on abdomen base standing out. T. equivocata develops dark wing tips in females and both sexes usually attain dark subcostal streaks, as well as additional streaks sometimes. The two species recognised only differ in size and paleness. They are not known to overlap, but could meet in Katanga and further study of their status is warranted. The small T. equivocata often has a black band across the frons, while the medium-sized T. jeanneli only has isolated dark smudges laterally. Although darkening completely with age, T. equivocata often has both cerci and epiproct whitish, while the cerci in T. jeanneli are darker. However coastal populations ascribed to T. jeanneli (e.g. Pemba) can have frons and cerci like T. equivocata. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Diagnosis

Male of genus is similar to Hemistigma by (a) frons rounded and without ridges; (b) distal Ax in Fw incomplete, its subcostal section absent (indicated as ‘½’ when Ax are counted); (c) Fw costa smoothly convex; (c) Fw supratriangles usually with 1-3 cross-veins; (d) Pt bicoloured, half white and half black, or wings with dark streaks at least in subcostal space of Fw, or both; (e) S4 without transverse ridge. However, differs by (1) all wings with 2-4 cross-veins in bridge spaces and 2-4 Cux, only rarely 1; (2) Fw arculus distal to Ax2; (3) Hw triangle of 2 cells, only rarely 1; (4) 12½-18½ Ax in Fw. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

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

• Dijkstra, K.-D.B., and Clausnitzer, V. (in prep.) An annotated checklist of the dragonflies (Odonata) of Eastern Africa: with critical lists for Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda, new records and taxonomic notes. Zoologische Mededelingen. [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.
• Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-10-30].