Pseudagrion (A) spernatum Selys, 1881
Upland Sprite

Type locality: Ethiopia, no locality data available.

Diagnosis

Male is similar to P. salisburyense by (a) mostly species of open or montane habitats; (b) labrum green to blue; (c) frons, Abd and often head and/or thorax usually pruinose; (d) thorax extensively black, usually with distinct (sometimes pruinose) antehumeral stripes; (e) legs usually at least broadly marked with black. Tarsal claws with small hook or notch beside main hook; (f) cerci short, only slightly longer than paraprocts (lateral view), lower branch only slightly longer than upper, gap between them mere notch or slit, flange of lower branch usually rather prominent and oblique relative to main axis of cercus (dorsal view); (g) paraprocts pointed and up-turned. However, differs by (1) larger size, Hw 21-25 mm; (2) postclypeus all black, rather than blue with black base; (3) lower branch of cerci directed upwards, often pressed tightly against upper branch. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Mostly streams, but also rivers, in open landscapes, but sometimes shaded by gallery forest. Usually with emergent vegetation and often rocks and a gravelly bottom, probably especially calmer (like pools) and faster sections (rapids, falls). From 0 to 2900 m above sea level, but mostly between 900 and 2000.

Distribution

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


Male © Oleg Kosterin


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.


References

  • de Sélys-Longchamps, E. (1881). Spedizione italiana nell'Africa equatoriale. Resulati zoologici. Odonati. Annali Museo Civico Storia Naturale Genova, 16, 222-225.
  • Consiglio, C. (1978). Odonata collected in ethopia by the expeditions of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, 375, 27-51. [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]
  • Ris, F., and Schmidt, E. (1936). Die Pseudagrion-Arten des kontinentalen Afrika. (Insecta, Odonata). [posthumous, Schmidt based on Ris' notes - sp authorship Schmidt] Abhandlungen Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, 433, 1-68. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1967). Odonata Zygoptera. Exploration Hydrobiologique Bassin Lac Bangweolo Luapula, 14, 1-43. [PDF file]

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