Africallagma pallidulum Dijkstra, 2007
Little Bluet

Synonyms:

• scientific: A. sinuatum (Ris, 1921) f. â��fugaxâ�� (Pinhey, 1962)

Type locality: Jordan Dambo, Limpasa dambo, Malawi

Diagnosis

Male is similar to A. sinuatum and A. quingentum by (a) being widespread; (b) postclypeus mostly blue, at most brownish or with limited basal black markings; (c) Fw Pt diamond-shaped, opposite borders roughly parallel and of similar length, pale brown to black; (d) tibiae entirely pale or with thin, short dark stripes; (e) base of paraprocts much swollen, resulting in prominent inferior bulge; (f) spine of paraprocts does not reach beyond bulge (at most slightly) or tip of cerci; cerci with dorsal border not or weakly excised. However, differs by (1) smaller size, Hw 16-18 mm; (2) cerci rounded rather than sinuous (dorsal view), ending in slender barely hooked ventral process (best seen in caudal view); (3) spines of paraprocts incurved rather than straight, points converge (ventral view). [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Standing and often temporary waters in open landscapes. Usually with emergent and often aquatic vegetation. From 1100 to 1500 m above sea level, but possibly down to 400.

Distribution

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.

References

• Dijkstra, K.-D.B. (2007). The name-bearing types of Odonata held in the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, with systematic notes on Afrotropical taxa. Part 2: Zygoptera and descriptions of new species. International Journal of Odonatology, 10, 137-170. [PDF file]
• Pinhey, E.C.G. (1962). New or little-known dragonflies (Odonata) of Central and Southern Africa. Occasional Papers National Museum Southern Rhodesia, 26, 892-911. [PDF file]

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