Chlorocypha pyriformosa Fraser, 1947
River Jewel

Synonyms:

• scientific: C. dispar (Palisot de Beauvois, 1807) ssp. pyriformosa; ssp. ovulosa Fraser, 1947; ssp. fraseri (Schmidt, 1951); C. mutans Legrand & Couturier, 1985

Type locality: Banco Nature Reserve, Cote d'Ivoire

Diagnosis

Male belongs to several species with (a) head all black or with yellowish, brown or green spots, but no blue markings; (b) at least mid and hind tibiae with anterior white streaks; (c) Abd all red, sometimes gradually becoming yellow towards end. Identified by combination of (1) found mainly on rivers from C DRC to W Africa; (2) relatively small, Hw 18-20 mm; (3) marked with yellow on occiput, hindlobe of prothorax, middorsal carina (including triangular area anterior to it), and antealar sinus even when head and thorax otherwise uniformly black; (4) S2 largely black with central red marking, S3 laterally black extending onto dorsum especially at segment base, and S4-5 with apical black bars. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Mostly rivers, but also streams, in open areas in forest. Mostly with a soft (like muddy) and/or often sandy bottom, often dead trunks or branches, and probably submerged roots and/or coarse detritus. From 0 to 600 m above sea level, but mostly between 100 and 600.

Distribution

Abdomen (dorsal 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):

Reference

• Fraser, F.C. (1947). The Odonata of the Ivory Coast based on the mission of Dr. R. Paulin and P. Lepesmee. Transactions Royal Entomological Society London, 98, 19-39. [PDF file]

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