Pseudagrion (A) inconspicuum Ris, 1931
Little Sprite

Type locality: St. Amaro, Angola

Diagnosis

Male is similar to P. vumbaense and P. munte by (a) local in highlands; (b) size, withHw 16-20 mm; (c) Abd usually pruinose, as are often head and/or thorax Frons often pruinose; (d) cerci long, at least 1.5x as long as paraprocts, lower branch (usually) distinctly longer than upper, gap usually prominent, flange absent, small and/or more parallel to axis; (e) cerci without separate internal tooth near base. However, differs by (1) more widespread and ranging from Katanga and N Zambia to S Malawi and Angola; (2) labrum all pale blue, rather than green and black at base; (3) blue on genae usually extends somewhat onto frons posterior to postclypeus; (4) cerci with flange on lower branch obtuse at basal end (dorsal view). [Adapted from Dijkstra & Clausnitzer 2014; this diagnosis not yet verified by author]

Habitat description

Mostly streams, but sometimes headwaters, mostly in open landscapes, but sometimes shaded by gallery forest. Often boggy with a sandy and/or soft (like muddy) bottom and usually emergent vegetation. From 900 to 2300 m above sea level, but mostly between 1200 and 2000.

Distribution

confirmed: Angola; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Malawi; Zambia


Male © Jens Kipping


Appendages (dorsal view)

Appendages (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):


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Male; Democratic Republic of Congo, Katanga, Upemba National Park © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, Negage © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.


Adult, male; Angola, Uige Province, Negage © Dijkstra, K.-D.B.

References

  • Ris, F. (1931). Odonata aus Süd-Angola. Revue Suisse Zoologie, 38, 97-112. [PDF file]
  • Balinsky, B.I. (1963). A contribution towards the systematics of dragonflies of southern Africa (Odonata). Journal Entomological Society Southern Africa, 26, 228-255. [PDF file]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1961). Dragonflies (Odonata) of Central Africa. Occasional Papers Rhodes-Livingstone Museum, 14, 1-97. [PDF file]
  • 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]
  • Pinhey, E.C.G. (1967). Odonata Zygoptera. Exploration Hydrobiologique Bassin Lac Bangweolo Luapula, 14, 1-43. [PDF file]

Citation: Dijkstra, K.-D.B (editor). African Dragonflies and Damselflies Online. http://addo.adu.org.za/ [2024-03-19].