Hadrothemis coacta (Karsch, 1891)
Robust Jungleskimmer

Type locality: Cameroon, no locality data available.

Diagnosis

Male is similar to H. scabrifrons by (a) frons shiny brown, not metallic; (b) labium all pale; (c) labrum all pale, sometimes dark brown or black; (d) dorsum of vertex with 2 nipple-like tubercles, although these are easily obscured in crushed specimens; (f) thorax and Abd orange-brown to red when not pruinose; (g) numerous cell-doublings in medial planate of Fw and often Hw; (h) Pt well over 4 mm long; (i) S2 about 5 mm broad. However, differs by (1) ranging from Uganda to W Africa; (2) wings clear, save small amber to brown patch at Hw base; (3) body orange-brown with yellow ‘saddle’ marking on S3 (absent in W Africa), but darkens and becomes pruinose on S3-6 with maturity. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Standing and mostly temporary waters shaded by or in open areas in forest. Mostly with a soft (like muddy) bottom and often bare banks, such as puddles in the road. From 0 to 1500 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Côte d'Ivoire; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Congo-Brazzaville; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Equatorial Guinea; Gabon; Ghana; Liberia; Nigeria; Uganda; NOT confirmed: Republic of Guinea


Male © Hans-Joachim Clausnitzer


Female © KD Dijkstra


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


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


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


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


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

References

  • Karsch, F. (1891). Die libelluliden-gattungen Orthetrum, Newm. (Libella, Br.) und Thermorthemis, Kirby. Entomologische Nachrichten, 17, 58-62.
  • Sjöstedt, Y. (1900). Odonaten aus Kamerun, West -Afrika.Beltrage Zur Kenntnis der insektenfauna von Kamerun.Binhang Kongliga Svenka VetenskapsAkademiens Handlingar, 25, 1-62.
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1962). Some records of Odonata collected in tropical Africa. Journal Entomological Society Southern Africa, 25, 20-50. [PDF file]
  • Schouteden, H. (1934). Annales Musee Congo belge Zoologie 3 Section 2, 3, 1-84. [PDF file]
  • D' Andrea, M., and Carfi, S. (1997). Nuove raccolte di odonati del Camerun con note su Agriocnemis maclachlani Selys, 1877 edescrizione di Agriocnemis dissimilis sp. nov. e Trithemis osvaldae sp. nov. Atti Societa italiana Scienze naturali, 136, 157-190. [PDF file]
  • Aguesse, P. (1966). Contribution à la faune de Congo (Brazzaville) Mission A. Villiers et A. Descarpentries XXI. Odonates. Bulletin de l'Institut fondamental d'Afrique, 28, 783-797. [PDF file]

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