Heliaeschna sembe Pinhey, 1962
Hybrid Duskhawker

Synonyms:

  • scientific: H. longfieldae Gambles, 1967

Type locality: Sembe For[est], Souanke, Congo

Diagnosis

Male is similar to H. ugandica by (a) moderate size, Hw 38-46 mm; (b) frons completely dark or with stemmed T-shaped mark; (c) wing bases usually clear; (d) anal triangle of 3 cells; (e) anal loop of 7-14 cells; (f) cerci wide, blade about 3x as wide as stalk, and without basal thickening; (g) widest point of blade of cerci at about mid-length of blade; (h) epiproct 45-55% length of cerci. However, differs by (1) metapleural and humeral sutures on thorax with narrow black bands; (2) usually 26-30 Ax in Fw, rather than 20-25, but varies from 23 to 32. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Not known well, but probably temporary standing waters shaded by forest. Probably often with coarse detritus and a soft (like muddy) bottom. Inferred to occur from 0 to 1000 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Cameroon; Congo-Brazzaville; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Gabon; Liberia; Nigeria


Male © Nicolas Meziere

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; Gabon, Haut-Ogoué, piste à droite avant africa n°1 (direction franceville) © Mézière, Nicolas


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, Kisangani


Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogoué, piste à droite avant africa n°1 (direction franceville) © Mézière, Nicolas


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, Kisangani


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, Grassfield-Zotarpa Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, Grassfield-Zotarpa Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, Grassfield-Zotarpa Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

Reference

  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1962). Some records of Odonata collected in tropical Africa. Journal Entomological Society Southern Africa, 25, 20-50. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-28].