Rhyothemis fenestrina (Rambur, 1842)
Skylight Flutterer

Synonyms:

  • scientific: R. notata (Fabricius, 1781) ssp. fenestrina
  • vernacular: Black-winged F.; Golden F.

Type locality: Sierra Leone, no locality data available.

Diagnosis

Male is similar to R. notata by (a) at least outer halves of Hw with dark markings, but no isolated broad bands on wing tips; (b) 1-6 cell-doublings in radial planate of all wings, only rarely none. However, differs by (1) not confined to C DRC to W Africa; (2) clear ‘window’ present distal to node in Fw: most proximal 1-3 postnodal subcostal cells are largely clear, in contrast to darker more distal cells; dark area on Fw always reaches more than halfway between node and Pt, normally even reaches Pt (when Pt not reached, ‘window’ is especially obvious); (3) hook of hamule strongly rather than weakly curved. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Habitat description

Standing and often temporary waters, but also rivers and flowing channels in marshes, in open landscapes and sometimes open areas in forest. Usually with emergent and often aquatic vegetation, and a soft (like muddy) bottom. From 0 to 1800 m above sea level.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Benin; Botswana; Côte d'Ivoire; Cameroon; Congo-Brazzaville; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Gabon; Ghana; Kenya; Liberia; Malawi; Namibia; Nigeria; Rwanda; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia


Male © Jens Kipping

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):


Female; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, Kisangani


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, Yekepa © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


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


Adult, female; Angola, Uige Province, Negage © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, female; Angola, Uige Province, Negage © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

References

  • Rambur, P. (1842). Histoire Naturelle des Insectes. Neuroptères. Insectes Neuroptères. Paris: Librairie Encyclopédique de Roret xvii, pp.534.
  • Ris, F. (1921). The Odonata or Dragonflies of South Africa. Annals South African Museum, XVIII, 245-452. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]
  • Ris, F. (1931). Odonata aus Süd-Angola. Revue Suisse Zoologie, 38, 97-112. [PDF file]
  • Sjöstedt, Y. (1900). Odonaten aus Kamerun, West -Afrika. Beltrage Zur Kenntnis der insektenfauna von Kamerun. Binhang Kongliga Svenka VetenskapsAkademiens Handlingar, 25, 1-62.
  • Schouteden, H. (1934). Annales Musee Congo belge Zoologie 3 Section 2, 3, 1-84. [PDF file]
  • Lieftinck, M.A. (1969). Odonates Anisoptères - Odonata Anisoptera. Explor. hydrob. Lac Bangweolo and Luapula, 14, 1-64. [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].