Crocothemis brevistigma Pinhey, 1961
Spotted Scarlet

Type locality: Ikelenge, Mwinilunga, Zambia

Diagnosis

Male is similar to C. sanguinolenta by (a) face often red with maturity; (b) no cell-doublings in radial planate of all wings, although rarely 1 or 2; (c) yellow at wing bases broad, in Hw usually extends beyond Cux; (d) lobe of hamule not swollen, hook usually well visible; (e) Abd 3 mm or less wide; (f) lateral carinae of S3-7 usually with (often small) black dashes; (g) S5 with 10-14 denticles along lateral carina; and in females (h) vulvar scale pressed against Abd. However, differs by (1) being restricted to N Zambia and Katanga; (2) body largely cream to pale brown with maturity (flushed pink in females and perhaps also males), with prominent lateral black smears on S3-9 that are most extensive on S5-9; (3) yellow in Fw extends to arculus, in Hw includes triangle; (4) Pt 3.0 mm or less; (5) Abd slender and almost parallel-sided, S4 almost 2x as long as wide; and in females (6) tip of vulvar scale reaches to end of S9. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Streams and headwaters in open landscapes. Often boggy and with a soft (like muddy) bottom. From 1200 to 1800 m above sea level, but mostly around 1300.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Zambia


Female © Jens Kipping

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

References

  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1962). New or little-known dragonflies (Odonata) of Central and Southern Africa. Occasional Papers National Museum Southern Rhodesia, 26, 892-911. [PDF file]
  • Lieftinck, M.A. (1969). Odonates Anisoptères - Odonata Anisoptera. Explor. hydrob. Lac Bangweolo and Luapula, 14, 1-64. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-10-05].