Genus Lestinogomphus Martin, 1912
fairytails

Synonyms:

• scientific: Echinopterogomphus Fraser, 1926 [africanus]

Type species: Lestinogomphus angustus Martin, 1912 [not 1911!?]

Introduction

Endemic to tropical Africa, with at least ten species recognised, but several more are likely to exist. Also the identity of L. africanus, which has been much confused with L. angustus, is still unclear. Habitats are poorly known, probably mostly streams and rivers with forest, e.g. L. congoensis prefers small, open and rather muddy streams and L. angustus rivers with gallery forest. The species are very small (hindwing 17-23 mm), with slender abdomen and narrow wings, recalling a damselfly (the scientific name derives from Lestes). Abdominal segment 10 is elongated in both sexes and bent down at rest. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

Diagnosis

Males are notably small gomphids that are easily set apart from others in Africa by (1) narrow Hw base with indistinct anal triangle of 2 (rather than 3-6 cells) and obtuse tornus bearing a thick tooth; (2) longer than high S10 lacking a dorsal crest or basal constriction. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]

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

• Legrand, J., and Lachaise, M. (2002). Un nouveau Gomphidae afrotropical, Lestinogomphus matilei n.sp. (Odonata, Anisoptera). Revue Française d’Entomologie (N.S.), 23, 1-8. [PDF file]
• Pinhey, E. C. G. (1961) Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum 14: 1-97 [PDF file]
• Pinhey, E.C.G. (1962). Some records of Odonata collected in tropical Africa. Journal Entomological Society Southern Africa, 25, 20-50. [PDF file]
• Fraser, F.C. (1949). Gomphidae from the Belgian Congo (order Odonata). Revue Zoologie Botanique Africaines, 42, 101-138. [PDF file]
• Fraser, F.C. (1926). Two new dragonflies (Order Odonata). Transactions Entomological Society London, 74, 355-359. [PDF file]

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