Brachythemis lacustris (Kirby, 1889)
Red Groundling

Type locality: Wadelai, Uganda

Diagnosis

Mature male is similar to B. wilsoni by (a) wings orange to dark amber at base, without dark postnodal bands; (b) no cell-doublings in radial planate of all wings, although rarely 1 or 2; (c) Abd red. However, differs by (1) smaller size, Hw 22-25 mm; (2) orange on wings with sharply demarcated distal border, extends well beyond Ax3 and triangle. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Mostly rivers, but also streams, standing waters and large lakes, in open landscapes or sometimes shaded by gallery forest. Often with emergent vegetation and a sandy and/or soft (like muddy) bottom. From 0 to 1800 m above sea level, but mostly below 1100.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Benin; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Cameroon; Chad; Congo-Brazzaville; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Ethiopia; Gambia; Ghana; Kenya; Liberia; Malawi; Mali; Mozambique; Namibia; Niger; Nigeria; Republic of South Africa; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Somalia; South Sudan; Tanzania; Togo; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe; NOT confirmed: Côte d'Ivoire; Equatorial Guinea


Male © Adolfo Cordero

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, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Tanzania, Kigoma Region, Lower Malagarasi Basin © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Female; Tanzania, Kigoma Region, Lower Malagarasi Basin © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Tanzania, Kigoma Region, Kibirizi © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


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


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


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Equateur, Lower Itimbiri © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Sierra Leone, Eastern Province, 7 km south of Kenema © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

References

  • Kirby, W.F. (1889). A revision of the subfamily Libellulinae, with descriptions of new genera and species. Transactions Zoological Society London, 12, 249-348.
  • 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]
  • Ris, F. (1931). Odonata aus Süd-Angola. Revue Suisse Zoologie, 38, 97-112. [PDF file]
  • Schouteden, H. (1934). Annales Musee Congo belge Zoologie 3 Section 2, 3, 1-84. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1966). Notes on African Odonata, particularly type material. Revue Zoologie Botanique Africaines, 73, 283-308. [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/ [2024-03-28].