Tetrathemis longfieldae Legrand, 1977
Yellow-winged Elf

Type locality: Ipassa, Makokou, Gabon

Diagnosis

Male is typical of the scarcer rainforest (from W Kenya to W Africa) Tetrathemis species by (a) interpleural stripe runs from wing base to metastigma, parallel to metapleural and humeral stripes, sometimes partly fused with humeral; (b) never pruinose and wings always clear, although base may be yellow; (c) arculus usually at or distal to Ax2; (d) Hw supratriangles with 1 cross-vein; (e) bridge spaces with 1 cross-vein; (f) lateral pale spot on S1 adjoined to similar spot on S2; (g) cerci less than 3x as long as S10, rather straight. Close to T. corduliformis but distinct by combination of (1) wings broadly orange at base; (2) S10 longer than S9 (dorsal view); (3) cerci longer than epiproct, straight and divergent, narrowing towards apex without lateral tooth; (4) epiproct strongly narrowing apically.

Habitat description

Standing and mostly temporary waters shaded by forest. Usually with overhanging branches and coarse detritus, and often a soft (like muddy) bottom. From 300 to 600 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Democratic Republic of the Congo; Gabon


© Nicolas Meziere

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; Gabon, Haut-Ogoué, piste à droite avant africa n°1 (direction franceville) © Mézière, Nicolas


Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogoué, piste à droite avant africa n°1 (direction franceville) © Mézière, Nicolas

Reference

  • Legrand, J. (1977). Deux Tetrathemis Brauer nouveaux du Gabon et la larve de l'un d'eux (Anisoptera: Libellulidae). Odonatologica, 6, 245-251. [PDF file]

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