Genus Stenocnemis Selys, 1886
tricklejacks

Type species: Allocnemis pachystigma Selys, 1886

Introduction

The only species, S. pachystigma, is a fairly large damselfly restricted to the Lower Guinean rainforests, occurring from south-eastern Nigeria through Cameroon and Gabon to western Congo-Brazzaville. It typically occurs near waterfalls, the larvae living in trickles and the spray zone, but adults have also been seen close to fast rocky streams. It may be found with the unrelated Neurolestes trinervis, which it resembles remarkably in coloration (black with orange markings on face and front of thorax, pale blue abdominal segment 9) but not its resting posture with closed wings and hanging abdomen. A form with dull green rather than orange markings in Gabon may represent a second species. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Diagnosis

No diagnosis of this very distinctive genus is presently available.

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.

Reference

• Schimdt, E. (1951). Zwei bermerkenswerte Platycnemididen aus dem Zoologischen Museum der Universität Berlin (Ordn. Odonata). Mitteilungen der Münchner Entomologischen Gesellschaft, 41,202-209.

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-11-15].