Paragomphus magnus Fraser, 1952
Great Hooktail

Type locality: Mombasa, Kenya

Diagnosis

Species not particularly close to any other Paragomphus species, but similar to most by (a) cerci slender, at least 1.5x as long as S10; (b) apices of cerci parallel or apposed (dorsal view); (c) epiproct longer, almost as long as S10 or longer, not so strongly curved upwards. However, P. magnus is set apart from the rest by (1) ranging from Kenya to Mozambique and Zimbabwe; (2) relatively large in size, Hw 28-33 mm; (3) labrum black with broad contrasting pale border; (4) Pt black rather than pale to brown; (5) S8-9 appear to lack foliations, these extremely narrow. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Mostly streams, but also rivers, in open areas in forest or shaded by gallery forest. Often faster sections (rapids, falls) with rocks and a gravelly and/or sandy bottom. From 0 to 900 m above sea level.

Distribution

Appendages (dorsal view)	Appendages (lateral view)
Abdomen (lateral view)	Abdominal segment 2 (lateral view)
Head (front)

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

• Fraser, F.C. (1952). Notes on African Gomphidae with descriptions of four new species and a new genus (order Odonata). Occasional Papers Coryndon Memorial Museum, 3, 3-12. [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].