Trithemis grouti Pinhey, 1961
Dark Dropwing

Synonyms:

  • scientific: T. atra Pinhey, 1961
  • vernacular: Black D.

Type locality: halfway Douala-Nkongsamba Road, Cameroon

Diagnosis

Male is similar to T. nuptialis by (a) ranging from W Uganda, W Tanzania and N Zambia to W Africa; (b) vertex and dorsum of frons metallic purple, sometimes purplish blue; (c) Hw base clear, at most washed yellow at extreme base; (d) anterior lamina anteriorly clothed rather evenly with hair, without distinct apical tuft; hook of hamule with generally finer tip; (e) S4-7 with single or no row of streaks. However, differs by (1) pruinosity of thorax dark blue to blackish, rather like Abd; (2) anterior side of hind femora at most with some pale hairs near base; (3) Abd broad, S4 about 3x as long as wide. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Standing and probably often temporary waters, rivers and streams in open landscapes, open areas in forest or shaded by gallery forest. Usually with emergent vegetation and often a sandy and/or soft (like muddy) bottom, probably especially pools in stream beds, often with coarse detritus. From 0 to 1500 m above sea level, but mostly below 800.

Distribution

confirmed: Benin; Burkina Faso; Côte d'Ivoire; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Congo-Brazzaville; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guinee-Bissau; Liberia; Nigeria; Republic of Guinea; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia


Male © Jens Kipping


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):


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, Makento-Vanyapa Road © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Liberia, Grand Gedeh County, Tappita Road just west of Zwedru © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & A. Dayeker


Male; Liberia, Grand Gedeh County, Tappita Road just west of Zwedru © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & A. Dayeker


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


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


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


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


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


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay


Male; Liberia, Nimba County, East Nimba Nature Reserve © Dijkstra, K.-D.B. & M. Darpay

References

  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies collected on an expedition from Rhodesia to Nigeria in 1958. Part 1. Entomologists Monthly Magazine, 96, 256-271. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]
  • Lieftinck, M.A. (1969). Odonates Anisoptères - Odonata Anisoptera. Explor. hydrob. Lac Bangweolo and Luapula, 14, 1-64. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1970). Monographic study of the genus Trithemis Brauer (Odonata: Libellulidae). Memoirs Entomological Society Southern Africa, 11, 1-159. [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]

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