Trithemis aenea Pinhey, 1961
Bronze Dropwing

Type locality: Buta, DRC

Diagnosis

Male is similar to T. anomala by (a) with maturity, thorax pruinose pale to dark blue, brown or black, often contrasting with largely black and pale- streaked Abd; (b) 10-12½ Ax in Fw [8½-14½]; (c) Hw base often with no or less amber; (d) anterior lamina anteriorly clothed rather evenly with hair, without distinct apical tuft; hook of hamule with generally finer tip; (e) anterior lamina with bulbous anterior profile and without knobs; genital lobe almost as long as short-hooked hamule; (f) genital lobe slender, narrower than hamule; (g) Abd mostly slender, S4 at least 3x as long as wide; (h) S4-5 and often S6-7 with double row of pale streaks. However, differs by (1) ranging from N and C DRC to W Africa; (2) dorsum of frons brown with bronze sheen, rather than pale with black basal band; (3) labrum black rather than pale with black marks; (4) thorax warm brown with maturity, almost devoid of black markings; (5) Abd slender, S4 about 4x as long as wide. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Streams, as well as standing and often temporary waters, in open areas in forest. Often with blackwater, emergent vegetation and/or a sandy and/or soft (like muddy) bottom. From 0 to 700 m above sea level, but possibly up to 1300.

Distribution

confirmed: Côte d'Ivoire; Cameroon; Congo-Brazzaville; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Gabon; Liberia; Nigeria


Male © KD Dijkstra


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, Lower Lomami © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, Kisangani


Female; Liberia, Grand Bassa County, Buchanan © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Liberia, Grand Bassa County, Buchanan © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Liberia, Grand Bassa County, Buchanan © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

References

  • 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]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1970). Monographic study of the genus Trithemis Brauer (Odonata: Libellulidae). Memoirs Entomological Society Southern Africa, 11, 1-159. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-29].