Aethiothemis mediofasciata Ris, 1931
Orange Flasher

Type locality: Chimporo, Angola

Diagnosis

Male is similar to A. gamblesi by (a) fairly large size, Hw 27-35 mm; (b) labium uniformly pale yellow to brown, at most darkened on central lobe; (c) thorax at most marked faintly on humeral and metapleural sutures and Abd along dorsal and lateral carinae (or both darkened and/or pruinose overall); (d) arculus at or distal to Ax2; (e) Fw triangle of 2 cells, subtriangle of 3-4, but both sometimes just of 1; (f) costa pale, contrasting with dark subcosta and anterior vein of Pt; (g) subcostal cross-veins pale, contrasting with dark subcosta and median vein; (h) tibiae black with pale yellow or brown streaks; (i) hind femur with 30-35 denticles in outer anterior row; (j) Abd broad, S3 at most 1.5x as long as wide (dorsal view); (k) short hook and very broad lobe of hamule. However, differs by (1) thorax and abdomen not pruinose when mature, latter orange-red dorsally and ventrally, rather than darkened and pruinose above contrasting with pale yellow underside.

Habitat description

Standing and often temporary waters, mostly in open areas in forest. Probably often with emergent vegetation. From 0 to 600 m above sea level, but possibly up to 1500.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Gabon; Liberia; NOT confirmed: Congo-Brazzaville


© Nicolas Meziere


© Nicolas Meziere


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):


Adult, male; Gabon, Haut-Ogoué, Plateau Batéké - vallée de la Léconi © Mézière, Nicolas, JENS KIPPING, HANNES KRAHNSTOEVER


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


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


Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogooué, Léconi © Dijkstra, K.-D.B., Nicolas Mézière & Cédric Vanappelghem

References

  • Ris, F. (1931). Odonata aus Süd-Angola. Revue Suisse Zoologie, 38, 97-112. [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. (1966). Check-list of dragonflies (Odonata) from Malawi, with description of a new Teinobasis Kirby. Arnoldia, 2, 1-24. [PDF file]

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