Trithemis brydeni Pinhey, 1970
Percher-like Dropwing

Type locality: Msamfu, Kasama, Zambia

Diagnosis

Male is similar to T. hecate by (a) dorsum of frons metallic blue or purple, occasionally pale, bronze or black; (b) labrum often largely black; (c) venation largely dark, brown to black, like veins of Pt; (d) all wings with 2-8 celldoublings in radial planate [0-8]; (e) Fw discoidal field of 3-4 rows; 3-9 rows between anal loop and tornus; (f) arculus between Ax1-2, at most at Ax2 in Hw; (g) Hw base clear, yellow or brown, colour is usually brown if it extends beyond Cux; (h) hamule with short, strongly curved hook; genital lobe curved forward, stands parallel to hamule; (i) Abd largely black, often with some pale markings, appears blue pruinose or black with maturity. However, differs by (1) ranging from N Botswana to NE Zambia; (2) pruinosity of thorax in life black; (3) anterior lamina with flat anterior profile and pair of knobs on apex; genital lobe much shorter than long-hooked hamule. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Not known well, but probably standing waters in open landscapes. Probably boggy and with emergent vegetation. From 900 to 1700 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Botswana; Zambia


Female © Jens Kipping


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

  • 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/ [2024-03-28].