Pseudagrion (B) sudanicum Le Roi, 1915
Blue-sided Sprite

Type locality: Meschra el Rek, Sudan

Diagnosis

Male is similar to P. nubicum and P. torridum by (a) often found in open; widespread; (b) antehumeral stripes and postocular spots present; (c) cerci seldom dwarfed by paraprocts, if so normally not notched; (d) cerci small, not scoop-shaped, with prominent flange (long and wide wing-like internal ridge) bearing 1-2 teeth (dorsal view). However, differs by (1) antehumesal stripes brown to yellow with maturity, or pruinose, rather than green to blue; (2) apex of penis rounded rather than notched; (3) flange of cerci with 1 tooth in its apical half, rather than 1-2 including 1 in basal half; (4) paraprocts large, strongly upturned (lateral view), rather than small and weakly upturned. [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Mostly rivers, but also streams, in open landscapes or shaded by gallery forest. Usually with emergent vegetation. From 0 to 1500 m above sea level, but mostly between 400 and 1300.

Distribution

confirmed: Botswana; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Gambia; Ghana; Malawi; Namibia; Nigeria; Republic of South Africa; South Sudan; Sudan; Tanzania; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe; NOT confirmed: Angola; Mozambique


Male(young) © Jens Kipping


Appendages (dorsal view)

Appendages (lateral view)

Penis (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.


References

  • le Roi, O. (1915). Odonaten aus Äquatorial-Afrika. Die zweite deutsche Zentral Afrika Expedition, 319-360.
  • Ris, F., and Schmidt, E. (1936). Die Pseudagrion-Arten des kontinentalen Afrika. (Insecta, Odonata). [posthumous, Schmidt based on Ris' notes - sp authorship Schmidt] Abhandlungen Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, 433, 1-68. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-29].