Lestes virgatus (Burmeister, 1839)
Smoky Spreadwing

Type locality: Durban, South Africa

Diagnosis

Shares straight broad metallic green bands on mesepisternum and mesepimeron with L. amicus, but wings clear or uniformly yellowish, cerci with wide cleft posterior to basal tooth followed by coarsely toothed expansion, and Pt shorter (1.5-2.0 mm).

Habitat description

Mostly standing and often temporary waters, but also streams, in open areas in forest, but sometimes shaded by (gallery) forest. Usually with emergent and often aquatic vegetation. From 0 to 2700 m above sea level, but mostly between 1200 and 1900.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Botswana; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Ethiopia; Kenya; Malawi; Mozambique; Nigeria; Republic of South Africa; Rwanda; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe; NOT confirmed: Lesotho


Male © Adolfo Cordero


Appendages (dorsal view)

Appendages (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):


Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Vumba Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, female; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Vumba Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Zimbabwe, Manicaland, Vumba Mts © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

References

  • Burmeister, H. (1839). Handbuch der Entomologie. 2(2), 2. Neuroptera. Handbuch der Entomologie. Zweiter Band, Befondere Entomologie. Zweite Abtheilung. Kauterfe. Gymnognatha. (Zweite hälfte; vulgo Neuroptera). Enslin, Berlin 755-1050. Odonata, 805-862
  • Pinhey , E. (1980). A revision of African Lestidae (Odonata). Occasional Papers of the National Museums & Monuments of Rhodesia. Natural Sciences, 6, 1-479. [PDF file]
  • Consiglio, C. (1978). Odonata collected in ethopia by the expeditions of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, 375, 27-51. [PDF file]
  • Ris, F. (1921). The Odonata or Dragonflies of South Africa. Annals South African Museum, XVIII, 245-452. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1967). Odonata Zygoptera. Exploration Hydrobiologique Bassin Lac Bangweolo Luapula, 14, 1-43. [PDF file]
  • Schouteden, H. (1934). Annales Musee Congo belge Zoologie 3 Section 2, 3, 1-84. [PDF file]
  • Sjöstedt, Y. (1909). Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der schwedischen zoologischen Expedition nach dem Kilimandjaro, dem Meru und den umgebenden Massaisteppen Deutsch-Ostafrikas 1905-1906 unter Leitung von Prof. Dr. Yngve Sjöstedt. 14. Pseudoneuroptera. Odonata, 14, 1-52.

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