Copera nyansana (Förster, 1916)
Eastern Featherleg

Synonyms:

• scientific: Platycnemis nyansana; P. congolensis sensu Schmidt, 1951 nec Martin, 1908; P. flavipes Navás, 1924; P. xanthopus Navás, 1924
• vernacular: Congo Yellowlegs

Type locality: Entebbe, Uganda

Diagnosis

Male similar to C. congolensis by (a) larger size, Hw 17-21 mm; (b) thorax with pale speckles and complete antehumeral stripe; (c) legs yellow and darkened at joints (‘ringed knees’); (d) S3-7 with pale basal and subapical rings (may be incomplete dorsally), giving abdomen annulated effect; (e) cerci distinctly shorter than paraprocts; (f) branches of cerci long, diverging from and usually falling (just) short of cerci tips. However, differs by (1) ranges from eastern Gabon through Congo Basin to Uganda; (2) posterior border of pronotum without vertical processes; (3) branches of cerci fall well short of tips.

Habitat description

Standing and often temporary waters, but possibly also seeps and springs, shaded by forest. Usually with coarse detritus and often a soft (like muddy) bottom. From 200 to 1300 m above sea level, but mostly between 200 and 500.

Distribution

Appendages (dorsal view)	Thorax (lateral view)
Leg

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):

References

• Förster, F. (1916). Beitrage zu den Gattungen und Arten der Libellen. IV. Zeitschrift wissenschaftliche Insektenbiologie, 1, 23-25.
• Pinhey, E.C.G. (1962). Some records of Odonata collected in tropical Africa. Journal Entomological Society Southern Africa, 25, 20-50. [PDF file]

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