Malgassophlebia bispina Fraser, 1958
Ringed Leaftipper

Synonyms:

  • scientific: M. nigeriae Pinhey, 1961; M. longistipes (Pinhey, 1964); M. aequatoris Legrand, 1979

Type locality: Uele, Bambesa, DRC

Diagnosis

Male differs from the two other continental Malgassophlebia species by (1) the yellow rather than dark brown to black pronotal hindlobe; (b) the quadrangular rather than triangular Fw discoidal cell, i.e. the sector of the arculus joins it about halfway along the anterior vein rather than at its distal corner; (c) entirely one row of cells in the Fw discoidal field from base to beyond node, rather than at least partly two rows proximal to the node; (d) only 3-4 cells in the anal loop, rather than 6-10; (e) the abruptly subapically bent rather than gradually curved hamule; and (f) the distinct shape of the cerci. [Adapted from Dijkstra, Kipping & Mézière 2015]

Habitat description

Streams shaded by forest. Often with a gravelly and/or sandy bottom, and probably overhanging branches, submerged roots and/or coarse detritus. From 0 to 1400 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Cameroon; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Gabon; Ghana; Liberia; Nigeria; Republic of Guinea; Sierra Leone; Uganda; Zambia


Male © KD Dijkstra


Appendages (dorsal view)

Appendages (lateral view)

Thorax (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, NGOUNIE, Parc National des monts Birougou © Mézière, Nicolas


Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, Loge valley © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, West Nimba Proposed Forest Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay


Male; Liberia, Gbarpolu County, Gola National Forest © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & A. Dayeker


Female; Liberia, Gbarpolu County, Gola National Forest © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & A. Dayeker


Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, Ubundu Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, Lower Lomami © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Female; Liberia, Grand Gedeh County, Putu Iron Ore Mining concession © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & A. Dayeker

References

  • Fraser, F.C. (1958). Malgassophlebia bispine, a remarkable new libelluline from the Belgian Congo. Revue Zoologie Botanique Africaines, 57, 317-320. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies collected on an expedition from Rhodesia to Nigeria in 1958. Part 1. Entomologists Monthly Magazine, 96, 256-271. [PDF file]

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