Aethiothemis erythromelas (Ris, 1910)
Pin-tailed Flasher
Synonyms:
- scientific: Lokia erythromelas; L. berenice Fraser, 1953
Type locality: Lac Leopold II, DRC
Diagnosis
Male is similar to A. coryndoni and A. circe by (a) larger size, Hw 24-35 mm; (b) thorax more uniform, at most with black stripes along middorsal carina, humeral and dorsal half of metapleural suture, may become entirely dark and/or pruinose with age; (c) Fw triangle of 2 cells, subtriangle of 3-4, but both sometimes just of 1; (d) distal Ax in Fw usually incomplete; (e) subcostal cross-veins dark, like subcosta and median vein; (f) tibiae and femora quite uniformly brown to black; (g) Abd broad, S3 at most 1.5x as long as wide (dorsal view); (h) venter of Abd deep orange to red with maturity. However, differs by (1) labrum dark brown to black, contrasting with paler labium and anteclypeus; (2) Abd spindle-shaped, swollen at base and slender at end, rather than tapered. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014]
Habitat description
Standing and often temporary waters shaded by forest. Usually with blackwater and coarse detritus. From 200 to 700 m above sea level, but possibly up to 1300.
Distribution
Male © Nicolas Meziere
 Abdomen (dorsal view) |
 Abdomen (lateral view) |
 Abdominal segment 2 (lateral view) |
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):
Adult, male; Gabon, Haut-Ogoué, piste à droite avant africa n°1 (direction franceville) © Mézière, Nicolas
Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogoué, Africa n°1 © Mézière, Nicolas
Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogoué, Africa n°1 © Mézière, Nicolas, Renoult Julien
Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogoué, Plateau Batéké - vallée de la Léconi © Mézière, Nicolas
Male; Gabon, Haut-Ogoué, Plateau Batéké - vallée de la Léconi © Mézière, Nicolas, ANDRE GUENTHER,JENS KIPPING, RAIK MORITZ, HANNES KRAHNSTOEVER
Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale,
Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Province Orientale, Lower Lomami © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.
References
- Ris, F. (1910) Libellulinen 2. Fasc. X in Collections Zoologiques du Baron Edm. de Selys Longchamps. Brussels: Institut royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique, 10, 121-244.
- Schouteden, H. (1934). Annales Musee Congo belge Zoologie 3 Section 2, 3, 1-84. [PDF file]
- Pinhey, E.C.G. (1966). Notes on African Odonata, particularly type material. Revue Zoologie Botanique Africaines, 73, 283-308. [PDF file]
- Fraser, F.C. (1953). New genera and species of Libellulines from the Belgian Congo. Revue Zoologie Botanique Africaines, 48, 242-256. [PDF file]
- Lieftinck, M.A. (1969). Odonates Anisoptères - Odonata Anisoptera. Explor. hydrob. Lac Bangweolo and Luapula, 14, 1-64. [PDF file]
Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-11-15].
